Welcome to The McCourt Method with Jane McCourt.

In November 2017, I was diagnosed with Triple Positive Breast Cancer – Oestrogen, Progesterone and HER2 positive. Invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage 1, Grade 3, tumour size 1.8cm. I also had DCIS, which in cancer terms, is referred to as a Zero cancer. One to watch, but one that does not require immediate action.

In my life, I didn’t know anyone around my age with cancer – the only connection I had experienced was with my father, who passed at the age of 83 from pancreatic cancer. It was a total shock, something that I thought would never happen to me but there I was sitting in the oncologist’s office waiting for my results. It’s hard to explain the emotions which run through your head in that instance, but, if like me, you have received a cancer diagnosis, you will understand the total confusion, fear, and shock of those words “YOU HAVE CANCER”. It is a lot to take in.

As soon as the words are out “YOU HAVE CANCER”, you are told what the recommended treatment plan is. The chemotherapy, radiation, drugs, surgery, lymph node removal. All in a jargon which is totally alien to the newly diagnosed cancer patient. Following that, the diary is also produced and the date for it all to commence is sorted. Just like that. In my case, it was scheduled for 2 weeks’ time..