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.
This story is from the October 19, 2020 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 19, 2020 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SCAMMED OUT OF THOUSANDS
When Susan realised her mum had fallen prey to cold-call fraudsters, she was too late to stop it
'I CHOSE MONEY OVER LOVE'
BS Alison Hammond on her career, love life and why she thinks she’s Beyoncé…
'I WAS IN TEARS'
Are things getting too much for Richard and Judy?
GONE IN A HEARTBEAT
Catherine Heffernan, 40, was resting after her night shift when a knock at the door changed her life forever
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the lottery, Gen Z and clumsy husbands
HOUSE OF HORRORS REVISITED
Three decades on, we take a look back at the heinous crimes of Fred and Rose West
MAGICAL MADEIRA
This North Atlantic island is the ultimate yearround destination for sunshine and flowers
WEEKNIGHT WINNERS
Jazz up family favourites with some store-cupboard magic
BODY TRANSFORMATION
Woman's Own looks at how the star has gone from being 'allergic to exercise' to showing off her abs on holiday...
HOW MUCH CLUTTER ARE YOU HOARDING?
Hoping for a bit of a reset Carol Driver, 47, decided to declutter, but it was harder than she thought