Exclusive: Best pals are both fighting breast cancer

Tag : PE Felt
Exclusive: Best pals are both fighting breast cancer
Aug 3 2008 By Lesley Roberts
WHEN Leona Levey got breast cancer and lost her hair to chemo, bestpal Claire Cordiner shaved her own head too.
It was Claire's way of supporting the chum who had been by her sidesince their first day at college.
But a year later Claire found a lump in her breast - and it wasLeona's turn to be the shoulder to cry on.
Now the pair - both mums-of-two - are battling the diseasetogether, attending the same hospital and sharing the same fears -while helping each other through it.
Leona, 40, of Edinburgh, said: "In 22 years of friendship, breastcancer is one thing I didn't want to share with Claire.
"We shared a flat through college, we drove across the USA at 21, Iwas her bridesmaid and I'm godmother to her elder daughter.
"When I was told I had breast cancer, I left the hospital andwalked straight to Claire's house to tell her.
"When she told me she had it too, I couldn't believe it."
The pals met at 18 as freshers at the old Dunfermline College tostudy PE.
They formed a friendship that would last well beyond their studentdays.
Leona became a PE teacher and Claire went on to become a nurseryofficer, both working for the same Edinburgh City Councildepartment.
They got hitched and had kids. Leona set up home with husband Steveand kids Aaron, 17, and Courtney, 12, while Claire tied the knotwith Danny and had Colette, seven, and three-year-old Neve.
Their lives were running in a happy parallel until fitness fantaticLeona was hit by the devastating news at 33.
She said: "When I found the lump, I was sure it was somethingsinister. My mum got breast cancer at 48 so I thought there was achance I would too.
"Mum is 65 now and doing well. I had two young kids so there was noway I was going to let this beat me.
"Claire was a great support. I could talk to her any time. We'dhave a cry, a cuddle and a glass of wine."
After a year of treatment Leona was told the cancer had spread toher lungs and her breastbone which meant more chemotherapy andsurgery.
She was having treatment in November 2007 when Claire, also ofEdinburgh, found a lump.
Claire said: "It was cold so I was hugging myself to keep warm. Ibrushed against something in my breast that felt a bit strange.
"I didn't want to tell Leona because she had so much to deal with.
"My sister told her. The message came back: 'If you don't get itchecked immediately you'll have Leona to answer to'.
"She was great. It made things easier because Leona had beenthrough the same thing.
"She has dealt with 100 times more than I have but she isbrilliant. Her attitude keeps everyone going."
When she started chemotherapy, Claire's long hair was just startingto grow back after she had it shaved for Leona's breast cancercharity event.
She said: "It helpedme cope with the hair loss because I'd beenbald before."
Now the pals have reached another milestone - their 40th birthdays.
Claire's is today and she will spend it with Leona and theirfamilies.
Leona said: "Mine was in May - the same day as Kylie Minogue'sbirthday. I'm quite pleased about that. I call my blonde wig'Kylie' in her honour."
Leona and Claire are starring in this year's Breast Cancer CareScotland's fundraising fashion show.
They will join 18 models who have fought the disease for theinspirational event at Glasgow's Radisson SAS Hotel on September25.
Leona said: "It's a chance for us to be a bit wild, strutting ourstuff like we used to. When you look back over 22 years, we neverthought we would be sitting talking about our experiences of breastcancer at the age of 40.
"But that's the way it is and we deal with it." Claire added: "Andwe'll get through it together."
MAILFILE
The Breast Cancer Care Scotland Fashion Show is on September 25 atGlasgow's Radisson SAS Hotel and is sponsored by National Tyres& Autocare and the Sunday Mail. For information and advice, seewww.breastcancercare.org.uk or call 0808 800 6000.
'My birthday is same day as Kylie's and I wear a blonde wig in herhonour' Leona Levey
SUNDAY EMAIL
l.roberts@sundaymail.co.uk