Dear Emma, thank you for this thoughtful post. I believe it's important that women understand breast cancer has a long-lasting effect in so many ways they may not expect. You're so very young, I'm sad that you have had this experience... but hopefully that's the end of your cancer. With the right diet and lifestyle, you should live to a healthy old age.
Me, I wasn't so lucky. I wasn't too dismayed at the first diagnosis. I've always been well-endowed, and a combo of post menopause and gaining a few pounds during lockdown, I was tired of my breasts dragging on my shoulders. So I viewed having a double mastectomy in a positive light – getting rid of the cancer and reducing my bosom into the bargain. But I was naive to imagine the surgery would be straightforward, as your story illustrates so well.
It was a moot point. After an MRI, my surgeon told me I was inoperable; it had already spread to my lungs. So after chemo, when I lost two stone and went down to 8st 3lbs (ironically reducing my bust by two bra sizes), I was put on a treatment that keeps the remaining cancer under control. I've put a stone back on, so now I've got big boobs again. And worse, I'm very conscious of every pain and twinge in my breasts, and the drug's side-effects are very debilitating. But my plant-based diet is helping to keep me in the best health possible, and I'm very positive in my outlook.
I've been researching in depth since my diagnosis, in order to write knowledgeably about diet and lifestyle changes that really make a difference. I'm on a mission to spread the word about ways to avoid getting, or to heal, cancer. My sister and my cousin both died from breast cancer in the mid 90s. They were both in their late 30s. I feel very fortunate that treatments have advanced so much that women are living with advanced breast cancer for much longer.
Hi Sue, thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind comment.
I’m so very sorry to hear about your diagnosis of metastatic disease. I have good friends in the same situation, so I have some idea of how gruelling and demoralising those treatments—and the diagnosis itself—can be.
I certainly relate to being afraid of every little twinge or pain in my body. Even though I am five years out, I get anxious when something new crops up. In this way, cancer makes itself remembered.
I’m so glad you are finding ways to support your body through diet and lifestyle. I completely agree with how important that is. I was plant-based when I was diagnosed, but I do try to stay more active now!
I’m also very sorry to hear of the passing of your sister and your cousin. I dearly hope for a day when no more women have to lose their lives to this disease.
Dear Emma, thank you for this thoughtful post. I believe it's important that women understand breast cancer has a long-lasting effect in so many ways they may not expect. You're so very young, I'm sad that you have had this experience... but hopefully that's the end of your cancer. With the right diet and lifestyle, you should live to a healthy old age.
Me, I wasn't so lucky. I wasn't too dismayed at the first diagnosis. I've always been well-endowed, and a combo of post menopause and gaining a few pounds during lockdown, I was tired of my breasts dragging on my shoulders. So I viewed having a double mastectomy in a positive light – getting rid of the cancer and reducing my bosom into the bargain. But I was naive to imagine the surgery would be straightforward, as your story illustrates so well.
It was a moot point. After an MRI, my surgeon told me I was inoperable; it had already spread to my lungs. So after chemo, when I lost two stone and went down to 8st 3lbs (ironically reducing my bust by two bra sizes), I was put on a treatment that keeps the remaining cancer under control. I've put a stone back on, so now I've got big boobs again. And worse, I'm very conscious of every pain and twinge in my breasts, and the drug's side-effects are very debilitating. But my plant-based diet is helping to keep me in the best health possible, and I'm very positive in my outlook.
I've been researching in depth since my diagnosis, in order to write knowledgeably about diet and lifestyle changes that really make a difference. I'm on a mission to spread the word about ways to avoid getting, or to heal, cancer. My sister and my cousin both died from breast cancer in the mid 90s. They were both in their late 30s. I feel very fortunate that treatments have advanced so much that women are living with advanced breast cancer for much longer.
Hi Sue, thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind comment.
I’m so very sorry to hear about your diagnosis of metastatic disease. I have good friends in the same situation, so I have some idea of how gruelling and demoralising those treatments—and the diagnosis itself—can be.
I certainly relate to being afraid of every little twinge or pain in my body. Even though I am five years out, I get anxious when something new crops up. In this way, cancer makes itself remembered.
I’m so glad you are finding ways to support your body through diet and lifestyle. I completely agree with how important that is. I was plant-based when I was diagnosed, but I do try to stay more active now!
I’m also very sorry to hear of the passing of your sister and your cousin. I dearly hope for a day when no more women have to lose their lives to this disease.