January 28, 2025

Pet Daily Nursing

Healthy Pet Lovers

I’m a veterinary nurse and a Labrador saved my life by exposing cancer

I’m a veterinary nurse and a Labrador saved my life by exposing cancer

A veterinary nurse has credited a Labrador with saving her existence soon after he headbutted her in the upper body – and detected a quick-expanding breast cancer.

Angie Shaw, 58, of Leeds, west Yorkshire, was knocked by the puppy she was treating, leading to a lump on her chest.

When the lump was nevertheless sore a week later on, Angie went to the GP who referred her for scans which disclosed she experienced a fast-developing form of breast cancer.

She then had an operation to eliminate the tumour – and two a long time later is now residing cancer free of charge after the shock analysis. 

Angie Shaw, pictured here with her two spaniels, credits the Labrador with saving her life after it highlighted a lump in her breast

Angie Shaw, pictured listed here with her two spaniels, credits the Labrador with saving her life soon after it highlighted a lump in her breast

Angie said: ‘When we turned [the dog] around, he head butted me by my still left breast, to my breastbone.

‘A good-sized lump appeared. I still left it for a week, but it was sore, so I got a doctor’s appointment the subsequent working day.

‘I assumed it was a cyst. When I was advised that I would have to have surgical procedures, chemotherapy and then radiotherapy my total world fell apart. 

‘But if the pet hadn’t headbutted me, the cancer wouldn’t have revealed up for nine to 10 months by which stage it would have distribute.

‘It would have been much too late. That pet saved my everyday living.’

The cancer was amazingly speedy-expanding, escalating by two millimetres in a fortnight. 

But with out the dog’s intervention, doctors explained the tumour would have taken an additional ten months to be detected owing to its position.

They stated by this time it would have spread to invasive quality three cancer and would have proved deadly.   

The grandmother-of-3 then experienced 6 rounds of chemotherapy which lasted 18 months. 

The treatment method brought on her to lose her hair and address up her scalp with a wig. 

But her colleagues ended up very supportive.

Angie sough medical treatment when the lump was still sore a week after she was headbutted by the dog

Angie sough health care treatment when the lump was continue to sore a week soon after she was headbutted by the dog 

Angie pictured walking her dogs near Beechwood Vets practise in Leeds. She said the Labrador 'saved her life'

Angie pictured strolling her canine around Beechwood Vets practise in Leeds. She reported the Labrador ‘saved her life’

She said: ‘My colleagues were definitely supportive. That served massively.

‘I claimed that I don’t want sympathy or special treatment method as I am living with most cancers, not dying from it.

‘I will shed my hair so I will be carrying a wig. Notify me if it’s wonky or if the label is displaying – but for goodness sake, get any lumps checked.

‘I dislike to be the centre of attention, but you swallow your delight.’    

Angie has now concluded her procedure and is celebrating currently being most cancers absolutely free.

But she is encouraging some others to test for lumps as an ‘early prognosis is so vital.’

She reported: ‘My colleagues had been really supportive. That aided massively.

‘I claimed that I don’t want sympathy or exclusive procedure as I am dwelling with cancer, not dying from it.

‘I will get rid of my hair so I will be carrying a wig. Convey to me if it is wonky or if the label is exhibiting – but for goodness sake, get any lumps checked.

‘I despise to be the centre of attention, but you swallow your pleasure.’    

Angie, of Leeds, west Yorkshire, qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2011 says she does her best to stay positive (Pictured here with colleague Louise Mallinson)

Angie, of Leeds, west Yorkshire, experienced as a veterinary nurse in 2011 claims she does her best to continue to be good (Pictured below with colleague Louise Mallinson)  

Angie (pictured with her dogs) says there is still a taboo around breast cancer - but people need to check themselves for lumps

Angie (pictured with her puppies) says there is nonetheless a taboo all over breast cancer – but people have to have to check out on their own for lumps 

Angie has now completed her cure and is celebrating staying cancer cost-free.

But she is encouraging other individuals to check out for lumps as an ‘early analysis is so essential.’

Angie, who competent as a veterinary nurse in 2011, extra:  ‘I believed if I could help save just one person’s existence by encouraging them to get lumps checked, which is my occupation completed.

‘Breast cancer is almost a taboo subject matter, but it is nothing to be ashamed of.

‘There’s almost nothing I have completed to result in it. There is nothing I could have carried out to protect against it.

‘I am lucky – since we located it in time. I shed some of my hair for the duration of the chemotherapy. It is a compact selling price to fork out.

‘The health professionals are very joyful they have got all the most cancers. It demonstrates that early analysis is so significant.’

Angie additional that she experienced to keep beneficial following the shock prognosis and that the most cancers transformed her lifestyle. 

She said: ‘I experienced to hold constructive.

‘Everyone thinks a cancer prognosis is the death warrant.

‘I thought “I have as well a great deal to do to permit it get in the way of my daily life”.

‘An knowledge like that gives you a entire different point of view.

‘You realise how unique everyday living is and how speedily it can turn all-around. I have been offered a 2nd chance.

‘You understand to make the most of who and what is important to you.’

Louise Mallinson, the scientific director of Beechwood Vets where by Angie operates, has described the mum-of-two as an ‘incredibly brave’ person.

She mentioned: ‘The way Angie has tackled her cancer diagnosis and therapy has been absolutely inspirational.

‘She has been unbelievably courageous, optimistic and decided in her outlook.

‘Angie is fantastic with both our patients and customers, and we’re incredibly lucky to have her as element of the workforce.

‘We are all very proud of her and couldn’t be happier that she has been supplied the all-obvious.’