On Saturday 20th May 2023, I took part in the Race for Life Mud Run with my family – an event I’ve been joining since 2021, following my thyroid cancer diagnosis in 2020. Later that evening, after a shower, I was getting ready when I noticed something unusual – an indentation on my breast. As soon as I noticed the change, I showed it to my sister, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, who advised me to request a 2-week referral from my GP. I booked the appointment, and I was given the referral. Unfortunately, there was a delay as I was referred to the wrong hospital, meaning it ended up being just over a 3-week wait from my initial appointment. Then just before I had my mammogram and ultrasound, I discovered it wasn’t just an indentation – there was also a lump. On Tuesday, 27th June, after a series of tests at Good Hope Hospital, I was diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer at the age of 26.
The advice I always share with others is to check your chest regularly and if something feels off, don’t ignore it – get it checked and keep pushing until you get answers. Trust your instincts.”
Receiving my diagnosis brought on a flood of emotions: confusion, anger, sadness, and the overwhelming question, ‘Why is this happening again?’. At 26, I faced challenges I never anticipated – like deciding whether to freeze my eggs. I had to make life-altering decisions in a matter of days. It felt like I was constantly moving through different stages of treatment, with no time to pause. I had to focus on taking things one step at a time, without letting myself get overwhelmed by what the future might hold.
If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone going through something similar, it would be to take things one step at a time. For instance, try to focus on the chemotherapy first, and take each stage as it comes. You can think about the surgery when the time comes.
Breaking things down and facing what’s in front of you at each stage really helps. That’s how I managed to stay grounded throughout my journey.”
Honestly, it has been a tough journey, and it’s taken a toll on me physically, on my mental health and my outlook on life. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s the importance of living in the moment and embracing what brings you joy. Take that holiday, wear that outfit, rock that wig—or don’t—if that’s what feels right for you. You’ve got this.
