Hi, I’m Emma. I was 41 when I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2022. I was working full time, juggling 2 young children aged 3 and 6, with a career in Buying. It had been a challenging few months for various reasons, and it felt like our world was imploding. I’d never had any health concerns, and my first thought was “how will I tell the kids that mummy has cancer?”
My diagnosis came as a huge shock. I was at the GP for something totally unrelated and mentioned I thought I had a blocked milk duct. The thought it might have been serious didn’t even cross my mind. The doctor examined me and as a precaution sent me for a routine check up at the Breast Clinic. A week or so later I was told I had DCIS and the only treatment was having a mastectomy.
It took some time to get my head around things – it really was an emotional rollercoaster. I didn’t feel like I met anyone that was like me, and at times I felt isolated and alone. It felt incredibly unfair – I had a non-invasive, low risk cancer, which had been discovered early, yet I had to lose my entire breast. I was tormented by what type of reconstruction to have. The doctors were informative, but reluctant to give their views on what was right for my body.
Finally, I spoke with a friend of a friend who’d had the same diagnosis whilst having young children. She was the first person that I felt really understood. She was pivotal in helping to decide what was the best reconstruction option for me, and gave me confidence that I was not alone, and that everything “would be ok”. She inspired me to volunteer for Someone Like Me.
I had a skin saving left mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction in October 22, followed by a nipple tattoo a year later. It has taken me a while to feel like myself again, but I got there. I really want to share my own experiences so that others can be as prepared as possible for the journey ahead – you are not alone. Please get in touch emma@breastcancernow.org
“I really want to share my own experiences so that others can be as prepared as possible for the journey ahead”