COURAGEOUS Susie Mathis today told how being treated for breast cancer left her "close to a complete breakdown."

But former DJ and pop star Susie, 56, has vowed to come out of her ordeal fighting.

Susie, campaign co-ordinator for the Kirsty Appeal to raise money for Francis House Children's Hospice in Didsbury was devastated when she was diagnosed with breast cancer after discovering a lump on her left breast at Christmas.

Since then she has undergone surgery to remove two tumours and 19 lymph nodes to stop the cancer spreading and has had 15 weeks of radiotherapy to kill any remaining cancerous cells.

As she finishes her treatment, Susie has revealed how tough her battle has been.

She said: "I have been close to a complete breakdown. I have just been through so much that it completely and utterly broke me.

"I'm a very positive person and I could always fight depression but what I have been through in the last few weeks has blown my brain.

"Fighting cancer is so overwhelming. I thought that radiotherapy would be a breeze but by the end of the first week I was already going downhill. Last week I went into work for a bit and had some really great days and I felt proud of myself again. The trouble is that you lose your concentration.

"I never thought I would want to stay a night at the Christie Hospital but the staff and care have been so fantastic, I've just been so grateful."

Susie has dedicated the past four years to raising £5m needed to secure the future of Francis House and is working on a book about eight-year-old Kirsty Howard. But when she got the shock cancer diagnosis she had to put work on hold while she went through treatment at Manchester's Christie Hospital. Now Susie, a former singer in the Paper Dolls group in the 60s and ex-radio presenter, is working again and determined to reach the target of the appeal, fronted by Kirsty.

Kirsty has defied the odds after being given only six weeks to live in February 1999 after she was born with her heart back-to-front.

Susie said: "This experience has made me much more focused now on achieving my goal.

"I have got some really good projects up my sleeve later this year and now I'm going to get better and put all my energies toward this goal."

If you would like to donate to the Kirsty Appeal contact 0800 097 1197 or www.kirstysappeal.co.uk.

rebecca.camber@men-news.co.uk

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