Meet (another) Emma

Emma is a breast cancer fighter. First diagnosed January 2022, Emma is currently going through treatments. Hear her thoughts:

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Emma

Talking with Emma:

People dealing with cancer really need to have support. As a cancer fighter, it has been really important to be able to offload some of the nasty thoughts that run through your mind. Sometimes a bit of reassurance is all it takes to help turn a very anxious moment into a more peaceful moment.

I am very lucky to have such a great support network around me. My family, close friends, and neighbours have supported me in so many ways; and I am so grateful.

I wish I went to the doctors earlier. I felt a slight lump in my breast and assumed it was a cyst or swollen ducts (as I never imagined I would ever be diagnosed with cancer). If I {had} just went to the the doctors a few months earlier, the treatment may not have been as invasive.

I am currently working through 24 weeks of chemotherapy. Following this, there will be breast removal surgery, followed by 6 weeks of daily radiation.

Chemotherapy is causing fatigue, nausea, and aches and pains across the chest. I have also lost my hair.

I feel pretty, sad, anxious, scared and ill. Watching my family go through this journey with me really hurts. I have 3 primary school children which I feel are too young to be dealing with this. This makes me feel very guilty but also gives me the drive to fight this.

This cancer diagnosis has changed me in a lot of ways. It has made me appreciate life and the special people around me. It has made me take some time to sit back and admire the small things like the birds chirping, kids playing, family outings etc.

It has also turned me into a bag of nerves. I now overthink everything, and even with a good looking outcome, I am very hesitant. I find it really hard to turn my thoughts off.

I am very lucky to have such a great support network around me. My family, close friends and neighbours have supported me in so many ways. I am so grateful.

Emma–you are a beautiful woman and such a joy to be around. Your worth and beauty as a woman is based on something that cannot change or be weakened with cancer. Thank you!

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