Bolton mum to raise money after stage 3 breast cancer

Lisa Clemmett, 44, from Smithills first discovered a lump in her right breast on Boxing Day last year, whilst she was unwell with Covid.

She assumed it was a swollen gland due to her being ill, until she was referred for an urgent mammogram on New Year’s Eve.

After her mammogram it was thought that Lisa had stage 2, but when she had her lymph nodes removed, it had spread.

Lisa was diagnosed on January 27, just a week after having her biopsy.

She said: “I was in absolute, total shock.

“It is the last thing I thought it would be.

From left to right: Jack and his partner Tay, Connor,  Kiara (Connor's girlfriend) Lisa, Lewis, daughter Ellie on the front (Image: Public)

• ALSO READ: 'I found a lump on Boxing Day, I was poorly with Covid at the time' - mum's mission to raise awareness

“But they caught it in time and I’m very lucky that I didn’t have to have my breasts removed.”

Within two weeks of her diagnosis two of her friends were also diagnosed with breast cancer, and they all had different types.

Lisa added: “I didn’t realise there were that many.

“All three of us had completely different treatment plans, and they both lost both breasts.”

Because Lisa had Covid on Christmas Eve this meant that she couldn’t have surgery until the end of February.

Lisa had the lumps removed, six rounds of chemotherapy, and as many as 19 rounds of radiotherapy, which she completed in October.

Lisa still wanted to stay positive and continued to work as a school nurse throughout some of her chemotherapy.

When some of Lisa's children along with their partners surprised Lisa on her last chemo session. The man on the far right is Lisa's son Jack's best friend James (Image: Public)

She said: “I wanted to try and keep positive and do what I normally do.

“But during my fourth round of chemotherapy, it was a different and stronger type, and I had an infection and was really poorly in July.

“Then I had time off work.

“I was also really poorly with the last chemotherapy.”

During her radiotherapy treatment she was at The Christie every day for a month, which Lisa says was “really hard”.

She said: “It was really hard, but I knew that the sooner I had it done the sooner it would be over, and I just wanted it over and done with.”

She has already gone back to work, where she is able to work from home at the moment.

Lisa added: “They have been so supportive towards myself and my children.

“I am feeling much better after my treatment.

“After Christmas hopefully I will go back to schools and see the kids again.”

Lisa says that her children Jack, Connor, Lewis, and Ellie, as well as her partner Rob Williams have all been hugely supportive to her.

She added: “My children and partner have been my rock and looked after me throughout my treatment.”

Out celebrating end of treatment with her son's Connor and Jack (Image: Public)

During the waiting period for her surgery, Lisa and her children organised a charity event, and she is now planning to do another one once she has finished her treatments.

Lisa previously raised £3,993.50 during a series of fundraising events including a Macmillan charity event, a football match, brave the shave, no drinking for October and another Macmillan event.

The free event will take place at The Roundhouse Sports and Social on January 6, at 7pm in aid of Macmillan, with the chance to donate on the night.

She added: “Macmillan were there throughout the radiotherapy and with my diagnosis.

“If I had any problems, they were straight on the phone and they gave me round the clock care.

“The support I had was absolutely amazing.

“The support from the community has also been incredible.”

Lisa hopes to raise as much money as possible, raising more than she did since her diagnosis.

She also wants to raise awareness for women to regularly check their breasts

Lisa will continue to have a check-up every year until she is 50, when she will then have check-ups every three years.

She will also stay on medication for 10 years to help reduce the risk of cancer coming back.

She is due to have another mammogram in January or February to see if she will need any further treatment.

Lisa added: “Hopefully there will be nothing.

“I’m trying to think positive.”

Visit the Let's get it off your chest charity night Facebook page for more information.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.