Wendy Peek Greasby, Wirral United Kingdom Amazon Heart Thunder United States 2008 United Kingdom 2008 Experienced Rider Click Here to Donate Now!

Hi! I’m Wendy, I’m 55 years old, and I would like to thank you for coming to read about my taking part in Amazon Heart Thunder 2008.

I currently live on the Wirral on Merseyside, but am planning to move back home to Cornwall later in 2008.  For those of you not familiar with UK geography, that means I am currently across the Mersey from Liverpool, and will be moving to the far south west corner of the UK just 12 miles from the most southerly point.

My left breast felt a bit sore on holiday over Christmas 2006.  When I felt it, there was quite a large squishy area that I hadn’t noticed before.  I returned north early in 2007 and went straight to see my doctor the next day.  He said that it didn’t feel suspicious, more like a cyst, but to be on the safe side he would refer me to a breast consultant – good decision.  Two days later I had a mammogram, ultrasound, fluid removed, and a needle excision of what was left.  Within two hours I was diagnosed with breast cancer – the fluid had been hiding a small lump.  An operation the following week removed the lump, together with a few lymph nodes for testing.

The consultant advised that the lump was completely gone, and the tests on my lymph nodes had come back all clear.  I thought that was it – all done and dusted, all clear, get on with life.  Two weeks later the rest of the test results came back – the lump was non-responsive to hormones and Herceptin and I was advised to have chemo and radio therapy.  For me, this was the toughest point of the whole process.  I felt perfectly well, was sure I was OK, and was desperate not to lose my hair.  I said I’d think about it, but was sure I would refuse.

I spent 10 days talking to people – breast care nurses, Macmillan centre, HeadStrong, the oncology nurse where I would have treatment, and supportive friends – finding out exactly how treatment would be given, and how I might feel.  The Macmillan nurse showed me a book of photos of ladies with no hair – one was on a large motorcycle looking great.   A good friend said ‘we’ve prayed you through so far, we can pray you through treatment’.  And so I went ahead, with therapy continuing until August 2007.  A HUGE thank you to everyone involved at Murrayfield and Clatterbridge hospitals, and to my network of faithful prayer warriors.

I must say I felt pretty well throughout the treatment.  I scheduled it around a couple of holidays – one back home to Cornwall and one to the Isle of Man TT races.  And I was also able to get to a couple of bike rallies for the weekend.  Bandanas didn’t feel so conspicuous when I was with bikers!

I’ve been riding a motorcycle since 2001, on a 125 with a provisional licence until summer 2004, and since then on a Harley Davidson 883 Sportster Custom.  I haven’t done a huge mileage, and was able to ride very little last year while I waited for my left arm to be strong enough to change gear!  Amazon Heart is a great challenge for me – to get back to doing some miles on the bike and to meet up with a group of women who know what it’s like.  I did 120 miles in torrential rain on Sunday to prove to myself I could cope with the Amazon Heart schedule!

I am really enthusiastic to get out on the road and show that having cancer doesn’t have to be the end of everything we enjoy.  I also want to raise as much sponsorship as possible to make sure that facilities are available for other women who need support and advice following diagnosis.

Thank you so much for any contribution you make.

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