Lynn Redgrave

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and your lifestyle.

A. I divide my time when I'm not working, between country and city and of course I often travel for work. Both within the United States and abroad. I am very active. Big walks with my dog either in the country or in Central Park. I have 5 grandchildren, 5 years old and younger, and love playing with them.

Q. Describe how you found your cancer, were you on 'watch' or did it sneak up on you?

A. Like many others I suspect, I never really thought I could get breast cancer. There has been no breast cancer in the family until I had it. I have never smoked, I eat healthily, I exercise, I get check ups. I found the lump myself. I had been experiencing a bit of a swollen feeling under my right arm in December 2002, but since I had recently moved house, I thought I'd pulled a muscle moving heavy boxes and furniture. I similarly ignored the funny electrical impulses I was feeling in my right breast. It was winter and I thought it was my skin being sensitive to the cold or irritation from wearing woolen sweaters. On the morning of December 12th, 2002, I woke up early and tried to settle back to sleep laying on my front. My right breast felt painful. I touched it to see what was hurting and found a large knotty lump.

Q. Following diagnosis, what helped you cope the most, and gave you strength?

A. My family. My family. My family! In particular my daughter, Annabel, who was with me every step of the way. From pre-operative procedures, surgery (mastectomy) to the end of treatment, (chemo and radiation).









Q. How has breast cancer changed your outlook on life?

A. There is no question that having breast cancer has completely changed my life and the way I live it. It was horribly difficult to suddenly lose my innocence. The innocence that made me think I was not vulnerable and could, all things being equal, live a long illness-free life. However, I have to say that this past year and nine months has been the most important and mind changing, eye opening time of my whole life. To truly learn to live ... to truly value life and work and friends...to live each minute with true gusto... the price has been high..but it has been a price worth paying, to see things as I see them now.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?

A. I personally found I didn't want too many people offering me opinions and advice. I listened to my doctors, and politely pushed away some friends and acquaintances who were only too eager to tell me that the route I was taking might not be the right one. Everyone becomes an expert where cancer or life threatening illnesses are concerned. They mean so well, but I had to keep my eye on the ball. Just one ball. Otherwise I found myself overwhelmed. Of course, it's a very personal decision. When I was first diagnosed, people recommended masses of books to me. I rushed out and bought them and opened the pages and just started crying. They all made me feel I was going to die. If you try to listen to too many voices you can't hear your own.

Q. How has The Breast Cancer Research Foundation been helpful to you?

A. Truly it gives me hope. Hope for myself and hope for my daughters and all women.

All photographs on this page are copyright Annabel Clark 2003, and are taken from Journal: A Mother and Daughter's Recovery From Breast Cancer, text by Lynn Redgrave and photographs by Annabel Clark, published in October, 2004 by Umbrage Editions. All rights reserved.