A Devastating Double Diagnosis
In the summer of 2023, Stevie Wise received life-altering news during a routine hospital visit. What she believed to be a simple cyst in her breast was actually confirmed as cancer. The shock deepened when she immediately called her mother, Belinda, only to discover that the 63-year-old had also been at the hospital that same day and received her own devastating diagnosis: multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.
Parallel Battles Begin
Stevie, then 40, recalls the surreal experience of both receiving their diagnoses within mere hours of each other. "It all happened in one day back in summer 2023," she said. "I was told that what I thought was a cyst was actually cancer. Then I called my mum and her tests had revealed the full extent of her diagnosis. I didn't cry. I just thought, right, what's the plan?"
As an education consultant, Stevie nearly skipped her own medical appointment to support her mother, who had been secretly suffering from pain and frequent falls. However, her intuition urged her to attend, a decision that proved crucial for her survival. Subsequent scans revealed two tumors and significant swelling under her arm, confirming grade three breast cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes.
Silent Struggles and Separate Treatments
In an attempt to protect her mother, Stevie initially concealed the severity of her own condition, telling Belinda that everything was manageable. While Stevie focused immediately on treatment strategies, her mother found it difficult to even discuss her diagnosis. "By the time she was diagnosed, it was too advanced," Stevie explained. "When she didn't respond to treatment, we all knew she was dying, but she wouldn't talk about it. She was terrified."
The following year became a brutal test of endurance for the family. Stevie underwent a mastectomy, reconstruction surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, while simultaneously witnessing her mother's steady decline. "It was a really awful and stressful time," Stevie recalled. "My surgery wounds kept opening, and my mum was really poorly."
Tragically, the pair received treatment at different hospitals—Belinda in Blackpool and Stevie in Manchester—preventing them from providing mutual support during their most vulnerable moments. They briefly swapped locations for specific procedures, but the physical separation added emotional strain to an already devastating situation.
A Bittersweet Victory
As Stevie began to celebrate positive milestones in her recovery, her mother's condition continued to deteriorate. Stevie maintained a constant vigil at her mother's bedside until Belinda took her final breath in August 2024 at age 63.
"My friends carried me through it," Stevie acknowledged. "They took it in turns to stay with me, look after me and help me recover."
Shortly after her mother's passing, while still grieving, Stevie received remarkable news: medical tests showed no trace of cancer remaining in her body. However, the traditional celebration of ringing the treatment bell felt inappropriate given her recent loss. "It just didn't feel like the right time," she said.
Instead, Stevie waited until her 40th birthday earlier this month to properly celebrate her survival. "It felt like I was owed a celebration," she reflected. "Aging is a privilege. I'm so happy to be alive."
Life After Cancer
Stevie continues her recovery journey, currently taking targeted therapy drug abemaciclib alongside hormone therapy drug tamoxifen. While treatment has left her with persistent fatigue and mobility challenges, she has adapted by enjoying swimming and walking her dog at a comfortable pace.
Now channeling her experience into advocacy, Stevie strongly encourages public participation in Cancer Research UK's Race for Life events. These fundraising activities—including 3k, 5k, and 10k races plus the muddy obstacle course Pretty Muddy—take place across the UK and support vital cancer research.
"That's what this is about, all of us, together, all in against cancer," Stevie emphasized.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson Jemma Humphreys added: "Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime, but all of us can support the research that will beat it. Race for Life powers progress and it relies on a whole community of people coming together, united by a common purpose to beat cancer."
Early Detection Awareness
Stevie's experience underscores the critical importance of regular self-examinations and prompt medical attention. Healthcare organizations like CoppaFeel! recommend these simple steps for breast cancer detection:
- Visual Inspection: Examine your chest area from armpit to collarbone, noting any changes in size, shape, or skin texture including puckering or dimpling.
- Physical Examination: Feel thoroughly across the chest area, checking for unusual lumps, bumps, or thickening that differs from the opposite side.
- Nipple Awareness: Monitor for discharge (non-milky), bleeding, rashes, crusting, or positional changes in the nipples.
Hundreds of thousands of participants are expected to join Race for Life events this year, contributing to research that might prevent other families from experiencing similar dual tragedies. Stevie's story serves as both a cautionary tale about cancer's indiscriminate nature and an inspirational account of resilience in the face of unimaginable personal loss.