Waiting for the doctor in the hospital consulting room, I felt numb. I knew what was coming, yet a tiny part of me hoped I was mistaken. Then the oncologist walked in and said, ‘It's not good news,’ shattering all the hope I had left.
He explained the breast cancer I thought I’d been cured of 10 years earlier had been lurking in my body all along, and a potato-sized tumour had taken root in my sternum bone. I had stage-four breast cancer – it was treatable but incurable.
I’d gone into the room alone to try to protect my partner Mark, and was dreading telling him – we’d only been together just over a year. After I came out, we sat on a bench and I broke the news. Mark, 48, was shocked – he hadn’t allowed himself to think the worst. But within minutes, he put on a brave face, reassuring me that we could get through anything.
When given a life-limiting diagnosis, lots of people write a bucket list. But as I sobbed in Mark’s arms, I didn’t want a trip to the Seychelles or to go bungee jumping; I wanted to hold him and enjoy the simple pleasures many take for granted, like lying on the sofa watching Gogglebox with a plateful of food and our cats, Cosme and Cleo, on our laps.
STOLEN CHOICE
I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2012, aged 29, after finding a lump in my left breast. Even though I’d had several misdiagnoses and it took four months to be diagnosed, I was lucky as the cancer hadn’t spread beyond my breast and was curable.
Bu hikaye WOMAN'S OWN dergisinin May 29, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye WOMAN'S OWN dergisinin May 29, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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