Patricia Page was delighted when she bought over her father's pest control business in 2017.
However, earlier this year Patricia received a breast cancer diagnosis after a chance appointment with her doctor.
While her treatment is ongoing, Patricia cannot be the hands on pest controller she has spent almost three decades working as.
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Patricia told MyDerry about her health journey and her determination to return to work.
She said: " The cancer was found by accident. I had back surgery and had checks done afterwards and had to go to my local surgery to get stitches removed. I made a casual remark and was sent to the breast clinic. The doctor carried out an exam and didn’t find any lumps or anything but he sent me for the mammogram anyway.
"They brought me down for an ultrasound and took a biopsy. The nurse asked if I had anyone with me and I got my wife Carmel to come over and we were called into the doctor and we were told I had cancer. I was floored, it was like an out of body experience. I was in shock.
" I am currently on my 5th cycle of chemo which floors me for about a week. I have 6 courses to undergo and then surgery in October, three weeks of radiotherapy and then another year on chemotherapy injections."
For Patricia, focusing on her health has meant she cannot be as hands on in her pest control business as she is used to.
She said: "What annoyed me the most was that I can't get out to work. The chemo has knocked my immune system so I can't risk going out and picking up an infection but I have a fantastic team behind me taking care of everything.
" People can still contact me in the business and I can give out advice, first and foremost to save some people money. Some people cannot afford to get pest control out so I will try and consult them to solve the problems themselves.
" I am fully determined after my surgery to return to my work again. I might not be able to get up into roof spaces but I’ll give it a damn good try! I just love being out there and helping people I want to get back to that."
Patricia took over North West Pest Control back in 2017, after her dad established the business in 1975.
She said: " I just loved it from the beginning. In 2017 my dad was contemplating selling the business. My wife Carmel asked would I think to buy the business and we decided to commit to it.
"I phoned my dad and told him I had a buyer for the business, and told him it was me. He was like a child at Christmas, he gave me a big hug and told me ‘you have no idea how happy this makes me.’ For me that was worth more than everything.
"The path the business is on now is fantastic and that is thanks to the team we were able to bring on. It is in the blood, it was scary taking it on at the start and being responsible for employees. But I am so glad I took the chance and kept it in the family."
For Patricia, her health journey would not have been as easy without community support.
She said: "I wanted to say a big thanks to my team and my family and my wife Carmel for the support they have given me through this time. To the people of Derry as well they have been absolutely amazing and so supportive. A cancer diagnosis does not have to be devastating, there is so much out there to help people now."
Patricia was recently featured on a BBC documentary about her work, during which her cancer diagnosis came.
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