On the 29th May 2013, our beautiful daughter Jodi and partner Mickey gifted us with a precious grandson Charlie Lucas. We were over the moon with the new addition to our family. But Jodi would often complain of excessive pain as her milk came in and continuous tiredness – “oh the joy’s of motherhood” we would always say.
Early October 2013, while showering, Jodi found a small pea-like lump by her left nipple. Off to the local GP she went. She was told that it was a blocked milk duct (as she had recently given birth) and to come back in 3 months. Call it instinct but Jodi insisted on a referral to see a Breast Cancer specialist. They also told her it was a blocked milk duct but did a biopsy and told Jodi to go home and not to worry and to come back next week for the results.
The following week I went with Jodi to her appointment.
“You have Breast Cancer”
Those words still resonate with me today. How, why, what? Following Jodi’s diagnosis she had an immediate double mastectomy and as cancer had spread to her lymph nodes (of which she had 19 removed) it was confirmed she would have to have chemo and radiotherapy.
The following 8 months were nothing less than hell, watching your daughter going through such gruelling pain 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Hair loss, weight gain, sickness, tummy upsets. She was unable to hold her newborn son it broke my heart. I kept thinking why her me and not me.
Starting FanU
During Jodi’s treatment she suffered terribly from continuous hot flushes as did I due to menopause. What could I do to help her flushes? Large fans were too big & bulky to carry around as we could have our flushes while shopping, on the train, in a restaurant, in bed or just walking down the road. I took to the internet and sourced a fan that was lightweight and could be taken and used anywhere in the world anytime, day or night. Hence FanU was born. This amazing Fan became a necessary accessory and neither Jodi nor I left the house without it.
Jodi does voluntary work for ‘Breast Cancer Now ‘ and it seemed the natural thing to donate some of our profits to help them find a cure for Breast cancer by 2050. We are very PROUD to now be Corporate Partners with Breast Cancer Now.
FanU Makes A Surprising Cameo
Once FanU was born we had to think of a way to get the word out to the public. What better way then to get a high profile celeb using a FanU on social media. We thought, who better then Simon Cowell (yeah right!). We put together a gift box and begged any contacts we had to get this box to Simon Cowell.
Relaxing in a bath on 31st May 2018 my phone started ringing off the hook. Simon Cowell was using his personalised FanU live on Britains Got Talent! You could have knocked me down with a feather. The next morning FanU were all over Social Media, The Sun online, Metro and the rest is history!
Watch Jodi tell her story for Breast Cancer Now
Keep cool and support Jodi and Adele raise funds for cancer – get your FanU here
