Mytime Active Stories - Jessica
Reclaiming her body and life after cancer
In May 2023, 44-year-old Jessica from Penge discovered a lump that would change everything. As a mum of three, an assistant project manager, and someone who is visually impaired, she was already managing a full life when she received the devastating news: invasive breast cancer with two tumours in her right breast, which had spread to her lymph nodes.
Jessica recalls: “The timing couldn't have been worse. I felt like I had to keep it together for my children; my eldest son was going through his GCSE exams. However, I knew there was no choice but to face the fight ahead and I needed the family’s support.” 
Jessica's treatment began in June 2023 with 20 weeks of grueling chemotherapy. This was followed by life-changing, major tumour surgery just weeks before Christmas 2023 involving a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction using tissue from her mid and lower abdomen. Lymph node surgery commenced in February 2024 and finally radiotherapy in April 2024.
The physical and emotional toll was and still is immense for Jessica. By August 2024, Jessica had to return to work. However, what felt like the real fight was just about to start. After chemotherapy treatment Jessica felt lost. “I didn't really know who I was anymore,” she says. “I had a break down and went off on sick leave asking myself, ‘Who am I? Who is the new Jessica?’ Everything was divided into before cancer and after cancer. I didn't feel like my body or my mind were mine anymore. There was no more chemotherapy but neither was there support from the breast cancer nurses.”
Jessica had not realised the aftermath of this life-changing surgery would bring its own new challenges, and is still struggling with the ongoing effects of cancer treatment. At only 44, Jessica went through early onset menopause and now aged 46 suffers with brain fog, chronic fatigue and daily joint pain. The removal of her lymph nodes has also resulted in pins and needles and carpal tunnel syndrome.Alongside NHS therapy, Jessica knew she needed to reclaim her body physically. That's when she discovered Mytime Active's 12-week FreshStart course that her hospital, the Princess Royal University Hospital, recommended to her.
Jessica says: “The FreshStart course is really helpful. I started in June 2025 and have until September to complete twelve sessions. Everyone there is coming to the programme to improve their health and wellbeing. It's reassuring to get expert advice from the Mytime Active instructors. They take time to explain how to use the gym equipment and appreciate what my body has been through and what I am capable of achieving. Having an instructor at hand provides you with that peace of mind, and it's great when they challenge me to try new things.”
The 10-mile swimming challenge
Not content with just getting back into exercise, Jessica has set herself an ambitious goal: swimming 10 miles throughout July at Mytime Active's Spa at Beckenham to raise money for the charity Breast Cancer Now.
Jessica explains: “I've always loved swimming; as part of my secondary school physical education lessons, I got my lifesaving badges. I love the freedom of being in the water and so when I was thinking about a fundraising challenge, swimming seemed like the right solution whilst my body still rehabilitates. This 10-mile challenge is an ambitious goal. Although I love the water, I am still emotionally and physically recovering, so I can complete a lap, have a rest and then go again. It will take time, but I am determined to complete it as I want to raise money and give back to Breast Cancer Now, which provided me with so much help and information.
“This challenge is very personal. The treatment of cancer is just the starting point of my recovery. I'm learning to live again, I'm learning to move again, I'm learning who I am now and what and who I want to be in the future. I will resume my FreshStart programme once I have completed my swimming challenge, as both are so important to who the future me wants to be. This challenge is so real and not simply a swim.”
You can sponsor Jessica's 10-mile swim challenge here.
Sponsor Jessica's 10 mile swim challenge
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