Walking down the aisle in October 2021, wearing a grey dress and clutching a bouquet of flowers. I caught my husband's eye as he stood next to our daughter Emma, then 12. John, then 42, blinked back tears as I tore my gaze away, swallowed the lump in my throat and stepped towards my seat at the front. My best friend Kara, then 39, walked confidently towards the altar, her gorgeous white dress flowing behind her. She looked beautiful and seeing the smile on her face as she greeted her husband-to-be, Gary, I knew I had made the right decision to keep a huge secret from her.
You see, less than 24 hours ago, I had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Kara and I had been friends for seven years after meeting at work. Both teachers, we got along from the moment we met. Our friendship was easy and even when we started working in different schools, we kept in touch, meeting for drinks after work and enjoying girly nights in.
Known for always getting things done last minute, I wasn't surprised when a box turned up at my door just a few months before Kara was supposed to get married. 'Will you be my bridesmaid?' the letter inside read. Thrilled, I accepted.
SHOCK DISCOVERY
It was just before Kara's hen do in Dunning in Perthshire that I'd noticed a lump in my right breast while in the shower. After a close family member had died from breast cancer when I was a teen, I knew I couldn't ignore it. Instinct told me to expect the worst, but I tried to stay positive. 'I'm sure it'll be nothing,' I said to John, trying to comfort us both.
Phoning my GP, I explained what I had found and about my family history. 'I'm referring you to the hospital straight away,' she said.
This story is from the August 08, 2022 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 August 08, 2022 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
Is it ever OK to lie about your age?
Kaye Adams has done it, and even Mel B jokes that she doesn't believe friend Geri Horner is 51. We ask...
‘I DIDN'T THINK.I'D SEE MUM AGAIN'int ICAT AFAR
MelB on rebuilding her life rebuilding her life after her abusive’ marriage
8 WAYS TO BECOME A MORNING PERSON
Improve body and mind with just a few simple tweaks to your daily routine
WHY YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST LOVE
(laire Dore, 50, learnt a lot from her first serious relationship
WHAT'S THE NAKED ATTRACTION ?
After a host of celebrities admitted to stripping off behind closed doors, Natalie Brown, 43, decided to bare all to find out just what all the fuss was about
MY FURY AT BEING A GRAN AT 52
Shona Sibary was far from excited when her eldest daughter welcomed her first child
A YEAR IN THE MAKING
Many of us shy away from drastic change but for these three women, it was just what they needed
I LOST 6ST AND FOUND THE REAL ME!
Shay Al-Ajami May, 32, was fed up pretending to be happy, so she decided to make it a reality
WHAT DO YOUR FEET SAY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH?
From heart disease to arthritis, here’s what they might be trying to tell you…
HOW CAN WE HELP OUR CHILDREN?
With more young people facing mental-health crises, we investigate what needs to be done
