'I want to be a mommy, not a memory' (From This Is Cheshire)

'I want to be a mommy, not a memory'

3:20pm Wednesday 19th March 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

A MOTHER and wife with an increased risk of developing cancer has made an agonising decision to have her healthy breasts removed.

Sue McMullen, aged 44, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma - a cancer of the immune system - after finding a swelling under her left arm while living in Birmingham, aged 20.

After several operations and five weeks of radiotherapy Sue, from Appleton, was eventually given the all clear, but more than 20 years later she received some bad news.

Around the time of the birth of her son Nathan, she was told the radiotherapy treatment that had cured her had also put her at an increased risk of breast cancer.

“Cancer will probably affect everyone at some time – we are all potential sufferers ourselves but it may be someone you love or care about, or just know, who gets cancer and it is devastating.”

Sue McMullen, from Appleton

Driven by her love of the four-year-old, Sue made the life changing decision to have a double mastectomy.

She said: "It wasn't an easy decision to have a double mastectomy but I was driven to the decision because of my little boy Nathan - he's only four."

She added: "Although I am opting to undergo major surgery, if this will help minimise the risk of me developing breast cancer, I am prepared to go through it all."

Last year Sue, from Pewterspear Green, Appleton, completed a sponsored five kilometre run in Oulton Park, raising more than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

And now she is putting on her trainers in preparation for her second Race For Life.

Sue will run in memory of her dad, John Mitchell, who died 11 years ago of bowel cancer.

She said: "I was running in memory of my dad, in celebration of my own life, but also for my little boy Nathan.

"My back sign said I want to be a Mommy, not a memory' and this really sums up my reasons for taking part in Race for Life and for choosing to have preventative surgery."

Sue, a former nurse, will take part in this years race on Sunday, July 6 at Arley Hall.

She added: "Cancer will probably affect everyone at some time - we are all potential sufferers ourselves but it may be someone you love or care about, or just know, who gets cancer and it is devastating."

With the full support of her husband, Pete, she is adamant everybody deserves a chance in life and that people should run for those who don't have the optimism that she has.

Imogen Johnson, organiser of the Arley Hall Race For Life event, said: "We hope women across the region will be spurred on by Sue's story and sign-up to take part in Race for Life this year."

For more information about Race For Life, contact 0871 641 2276.