A Cancer Survivor Urges Kate Middleton to Stay Positive Amid Battle with Disease
A two-time cancer survivor who underwent preventative chemotherapy is reaching out to Kate Middleton, expressing solidarity and encouraging her to remain positive as she faces her own battle with the disease. Terri Grice, 50, discovered a small lump and experienced sharp pain under her armpit in 2011 but initially dismissed her symptoms. Fortunately, her late husband insisted she seek medical attention which led to a breast cancer diagnosis.
Beginning with a lumpectomy to remove the tumor, Terri embarked on a challenging journey towards recovery. She underwent adjuvant chemotherapy, a treatment designed to eliminate any cancer cells that may have broken away to minimize the risk of the disease recurring. As a mother of three, Terri can relate to Kate’s struggle in discussing her condition with her young children.
A Difficult Road Filled with Challenges
Recalling her own experience, Terri shared, “It’s a horrible road. I had six months of adjuvant chemotherapy, I was so poorly, I lost my hair, I couldn’t eat. When I first heard the news about Kate, of course I was really upset. She’s faced a lot of stigma and she needs her privacy. Nobody knows what it’s like unless you’ve been through it. The diagnosis is scary enough, let alone the treatment. She looks really positive, and you have got to stay positive. It’s the only way to get through it. I would just say to Kate, please stay positive – look at your children – it’s not a death sentence.”
Terri emphasized the vital role her husband played as her primary support during her own battle with cancer. Mark, who accompanied her to every chemotherapy session, tirelessly stood by her side. Terri’s first fight with cancer concluded with six months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and Toloxyfin. However, her joy was short-lived, as Mark tragically passed away from kidney failure in April 2015 at the age of 42.
A Second Battle with Cancer
Thirteen years after her initial diagnosis, Terri noticed subtle changes and another lump in her breast. Overcome with concern, she underwent a mammogram in 2020, expecting the worst. The biopsy confirmed her fears—a second encounter with breast cancer. This time, she faced the daunting journey alone due to Covid-19 restrictions and the absence of her late husband.
With a tumor size of 83mm, Terri underwent an intense three-month chemotherapy regimen followed by a full mastectomy of her right breast. During her wait for the operation, she encountered Carrie Pritchard, 57, whose pair of trainers vividly depicted breasts. The unusual connection led to an unwavering friendship. Carrie, also from Chester, had discovered an 8cm tumor during a routine mammogram in August 2020.
Hope and Empowerment
Both cancer survivors understand the challenges Kate faces as she navigates her own journey and seeks to shield her children from the harsh reality. Carrie emphasizes, “It’s horrendous telling your kids… your job in life is to protect your children, and they stand at risk of losing you. But it isn’t a death sentence – the prognosis is quite good, especially if the cancer is caught early. I was fit, healthy, trained, and never ate rubbish. It can happen to anyone, no matter where you are on the social scale, even with the best health treatment in the world.”
Both women applaud Kate’s positive outlook and draw inspiration from her strength. They hope to inspire other women to prioritize self-checks and seek medical advice if they notice anything amiss. Their experiences, as well as Kate’s public disclosure, have led to a surge in informational web page visits, demonstrating the importance of early detection and the potential for successful treatment.
Terri and Carrie’s journeys stand as a testament to the power of resilience and positivity in overcoming adversity. Their unwavering support for Kate Middleton showcases a remarkable bond, reminding others affected by cancer that they are not alone in their fight.
