A breast cancer patient has been full of praise for the care she has received at The Christie in Macclesfield.

Mother-of-three Jo Williams will undergo her final session of radiotherapy on Christmas Eve.

This year started like any other year, but things took a sharp turn in early March.

"I noticed a lump and went to my GP," Jo recalls.

"When I found out it was breast cancer, I was terrified. It felt unreal, like I was in a daze."

Jo was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer earlier this year (Credit: NHS)

Further tests confirmed that Jo had HER2-positive breast cancer, and she was subsequently referred to The Christie in April.

She was offered a treatment plan with 12 sessions of chemotherapy over 18 weeks, an operation, and radiotherapy sessions during December, finishing on Wednesday, December 24.

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This will be followed up with Herceptin injections in 2026.

Speaking about her experience at The Christie, Jo said: "The medical care is efficient and caring. And the non-medical care is just as important.

"Everyone is always welcoming and smiling, even when they're clearly busy. Whether it's consultants, nurses at all levels, receptionists or the brilliant Macmillan volunteers with their kindness and cups of tea, they make a difficult situation manageable."

Reflecting on how scared she felt before her first chemotherapy session, Jo added: "Sarah, one of the senior nurses, was amazing. She made a challenging situation manageable.

"Over the next 18 weeks, I saw many of the same friendly nurses - Eva, Matthew, Rachel, Emma and others - and that continuity of care meant the world."

Jo is looking forward to spending more time with family and in her happy place, Galicia (Credit: NHS)

 As Jo prepares for her final phases of treatment, she feels more hopeful than she expected to.

"I want to spend time and have fun with family and friends who have got me through this year. They know who they are," she said.

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"And I want more time in Galicia, it's my happy place.

"Cancer still feels surreal in some ways, yet painfully real in others.

"Navigating it would not have been possible without the amazing staff at The Christie, my family and close friends.

"Cancer has taught me to appreciate them even more."