Stepping out of the shower, I took one more look at the stretch mark on my left breast before asking my husband, Euan, for his opinion. Unlike most women, I wore my stretch marks like a badge of honour. A reminder that despite being diagnosed with endometriosis aged 19, making it difficult to conceive, in July 2012 I finally became a mum to a beautiful boy, Cameron.
But now, in May 2017, one mark, in particular, had been giving me pause.
Though it wasn’t raised or bumpy, it seemed wider than before. ‘Maybe you should get it checked out?’ Euan, then 36, advised, and I was quick to book an appointment to see my GP. That way, I could ask about the searing pain in my arm and back, too.
My doctor didn’t think either were anything to worry about, but I insisted on a referral until eventually I was seen by a consultant at the breast clinic at Western General Hospital, in Edinburgh. The exam was fairly straightforward at first, but then they sent me for a biopsy, and I could tell something was up. Turning to Euan as we walked back to the consultant’s office, I voiced my fears. ‘I’ve got cancer,’ I told him.
‘You don’t know that yet,’ he said – but, unfortunately, my instincts were right.
Life-changing phone call
In the days that followed, I had a number of other scans to see whether the cancer had spread. I assumed as I’d not had any ‘classic’ signs – no lumps or dimpling of the skin – that I’d caught it early.
Only, the radiographer asked if I’d had any headaches lately. I had, but couldn’t understand what that had to do with anything, and when she wouldn’t tell me why she was asking, I began to worry that they’d seen something ominous in my scans and weren’t telling me.
この記事は WOMAN'S OWN の October 19, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は WOMAN'S OWN の October 19, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards
I HATE BEING A MUM
One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?
Get the GOSS
Your round-up of this week's biggest showbiz stories