No one can ever prepare you for the journey you face after being told you have cancer….
On the 8/12/2022, my world was turned upside down when I was given the devastating news that I had breast cancer at the age of 42.
At this point, we obviously didn’t know the type of breast cancer it was but I was hoping and praying for the “better” kind so that I wouldn’t have to tell anyone my diagnosis and would be able to save people from suffering with me.
On the 21/2/2022 I was then given the news that unfortunately it was Triple Negative breast cancer. TN breast cancer is the most aggressive type and my treatment plan would have to change from tablet form to IV chemotherapy and would have to start quickly and to be fitted for a wig as my hair would fall out really quickly after starting treatment.
Finding out my cancer was triggered by a faulty BRCA gene
Because of my age and because of the type of cancer I qualified for genetic testing to see if I had any faulty genes 
.
My consultant tried so hard to reassure me by telling me it was unlikely that I did have any. Fast forward 3 months and another almighty blow that I did indeed have the faulty brca2 gene which meant my treatment plan would change again and I would have to have a double mastectomy and oophorectomy shortly after my chemotherapy finished. Unfortunately the chemotherapy didn’t work and hadn’t helped reduce my tumor at all.
On the 18/07/2023 I went into Glasgow Royal hospital to have DIEP flap surgery which is where they use your own tissue to reconstruct your breasts after your mastectomy. This was an extensive surgery which took about 12 hours (although it felt like 2mins for me )
Although I’m completely grateful for this I completely underestimated the recovery and healing and had to have another 2 admissions and 3 surgeries to help with my wound opening up and infection.
Having these surgeries helped save my life but also left me feeling like a monster and that my body had been halved in two and joined back together and It has taken me a long long time to try and like the new version of myself and accept that this is me.
Life has gone on and I had to have oral chemotherapy afterwards and now I’m on a preventative chemotherapy until next January and I’m slowly trying to get back my life, but it’s been mentally very difficult.
Regaining who I am and building on my self confidence
A friend of mine tagged me in Diane’s post (Rose & Cale Photography‘s owner) about her own breast cancer journey and her offer of a free session to woman affected by cancer. Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to be photographed.
On discussion, I could have had any pictures taken at all but decided that I wanted to do a shoot that captured my scars and try and love them and see them as my battle scars as without them I wouldn’t be here at all today, loving my friends and family and I certainly wouldn’t have met my wonderful grandchildren who have been sent to me.
If you’ve read this far thank you.
Thank you to my wonderful medical team, my family and friends and to Diane for the beautiful pictures to help me realize that I’m perfectly imperfect 
For more information…..
If you have been affected by Caroline’s story or would like more information on breast cancer, please visit the Breast Cancer Now or Macmillan.
For more information on the BRCA genes, their faults and the cancer risks associated to a faulty gene, more information can be found here.
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