When I was 25, I found a lump in my boob. I was healthy, happy, active, only drunk alcohol on occasions, didn’t smoke or vape, but cancer does not discriminate, I’m living proof of that.
When I first found the lump, I wasn’t initially worried because I’d had lumpy boobs in the past, it felt the same as the others. So, I assumed it would be fine, but I thought it was better to get it checked. The nurse I saw wasn’t concerned or if she was, she was doing a great job at not showing it. I didn’t start to worry until I had my ultrasound. The sonographers were so sweet, and I could tell they were really, really trying to not make me feel on edge but there was just a vibe in the room, and when I looked at the monitor, it looked like there was a shadow, there was a jagged edge, it just looked different. When I got the call that I needed to come in for an urgent appointment to see the consultant, I instantly felt terrified.
“I’ve never experienced fear like that, I felt it throughout my whole body”
When the consultant told me “they have found something, but it’s very early and very treatable, you’re going to be okay” it was really strange because I almost felt better knowing what was wrong than I did on the days when I was waiting for a diagnosis, because I felt more in control over the situation in some sense, I knew what was happening.
I’m not scared of the hospital or needles, but it was the unknown that was so scary. The treatment plan started as surgery and radiotherapy because they thought the cancer was smaller than it was, I thought ‘oh I’ll be done by Christmas, bit of surgery, bit of radiotherapy and then it’ll be in the past.’, but it turned into a much bigger journey and I ended up having 6 rounds of chemotherapy, 20 sessions of radiotherapy and fertility treatment. The side effects from the chemo were all horrific, it was like a train hit me; I was weak, I couldn’t walk properly, I’d be on the toilet throwing up, I couldn’t eat for days. It was really tough.
My friends have been incredible and so supportive. I was big on not wanting my cancer to be a “thing”, I was still Robyn, just going through some stuff, and I didn’t want everyone to treat me differently. Sometimes my fiance went with me to my chemo sessions and sometimes my mum did. My family was a huge support during my treatment. My dad had testicular cancer when he was 26, so he understood what I was going through and my mum knew how to support me because she’d been through it with my dad. I almost felt bad when my mum was in the room with me when I was diagnosed, I felt sorry for her that she had to sit with my dad when he’d had his diagnosis, and now she was receiving that news again with her daughter. For the first few chemo rounds my fiance and I stayed with my parents, so we had extra help and support. When you go through something like that with family, you just come to appreciate what you have a bit more, and the people you have around you.
If I could go back in time, I really would make different choices and be more mindful in what foods I’m putting into my body, how much stress I cause myself, making sure I rest and recover properly after exercise & practice more self-care & self-love. We can’t control what happens to us, but we can definitely make good choices to keep our bodies & minds as peaceful and healthy as possible. I really have a new perspective on my life since this happened to me, a much more positive one.
“We have a tendency at this age to think we’re invincible or that things like cancer just won’t happen to us.”
Cancer is scary, yes, but it’s REAL and the more we talk about it, the more we spread awareness and help others, whether they are in their 20s or not,going through something similar, feel less alone.
Lead with kindness and check your bodies, often! 🩷
You can get breast cancer at any age. Whatever you feel, feel your chest. Check out more from our Feelings campaign below.
