Emma’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
After noticing a dent in her breast as early as 2021, Emma visited her GP and was referred for an ultrasound, which resulted in her receiving the all-clear. Over time, the dent grew more pronounced, and she could feel a hard area beneath it, so she returned to her GP. After tests, she was diagnosed with 18mm Grade 2 triple-positive invasive breast cancer in September 2025. Her story highlights the importance of regularly checking your breasts to notice changes and going to your GP if something doesn’t seem normal for you.
Emma was taken to surgery two weeks after her diagnosis, where her tumour was removed via a lumpectomy, and they confirmed that the cancer had not spread to her lymph nodes. Despite best-case results from her surgery, she went on to have chemotherapy, targeted treatment (Herceptin), monthly injections of Goserelin (to medically induce menopause, which is effective for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer), followed by radiotherapy, Zoledronic Acid injections (to help strengthen her bones) and endocrine therapy for 5 years.
Emma says: ‘It’s a LOT, but I know I’m so lucky to have found it as early as I did and that this adjuvant treatment is all to drastically reduce the chances of the cancer coming back. I’ve made it through 3 rounds of EC chemo, and I’m half way through 12 rounds of weekly Paclitaxel. I’ve also started targeted treatment, which will be an injection in my thigh every 3 weeks for about a year. Right now, I’ve got my eyes on the prize of finishing chemo come early May, and have made myself a wall chart with personalised stickers to help get me through!’
Receiving her Breast Cancer Gift Box
Emma’s Macmillan Nurse referred her for a Chemotherapy Gift Box through our Little Kindness Fund, which Emma promptly forgot about, until the little Box of kindness turned up on her doorstep in November of 2025.
‘I received my Box a month before I started chemotherapy and was still recovering from surgery, so it arrived at a perfect time as I was waiting for the details of my treatment plan.
I was blown away by how much was in such a little Box, and I distinctly remember sitting there looking through it all when my husband, Paul, asked what it was all for. Each Box comes with a little booklet that explains why each item will help during chemotherapy, so I began picking up each thing and reading out the descriptions to him.
– A heat pack: because you may get cold during treatment or experience joint or muscle pain as a side effect.
– Lip balm: to help to avoid chapped and dry lips.
– Lolly recipes: because ice-lollies can help to soothe a sore mouth and are a nice treat if your taste buds change.
– A soft toothbrush: to help avoid any discomfort you may experience from harder brushes.
It was around the toothbrush point that Paul started crying. He said going through each thing was a stark reminder of what I was about to put my body through and the side effects. I just remember launching myself at him in a giant hug. It was the first time we cried together – one of us was always trying to be strong for the other throughout the appointments and scans and tests. It was the first time we said out loud how unfair it all was. But it was also one of the most important moments on this journey so far – a reminder of how much we love each other and how we’d get through this together.’
About Emma
Emma is a Kent-based Executive Assistant for the CEO of a digital product company, a job she ‘LOVES’, citing her love for all things planning and organising, as well as an ‘incredible’ company and team. At 38, she has been with her husband Paul for 18 years, with whom she parents the ‘best dog ever’, a rescue called Ernie.
She’s a tattoo lover and an enthusiast of the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. She does all things arts and crafts, as well as reading. Emma has aspirations to write her own fantasy romance book one day and, in the last year, has taken up painting. She loves nothing more than going offline and going into nature. Recently, she even had the chance to go to Japan; she says, ‘travelling and exploring new places will never not be fun!’
Emma’s top tips for breast cancer
‘The power of positive thinking. The glass is always half full; there’s joy and lessons to learn from every situation; life is what you make it. Sounds cliche? Yes. Is it true? Absolutely! This journey is horrible and terrifying and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone but it’s my reality right now, so why wouldn’t I approach this like I would anything else? Try to focus on the good and you’ll be amazed at how strong you can be. And when it’s all too much, lean on others around you. You can do anything you set your mind to and you WILL get through this.’
‘Pay attention to the screen your doctor is looking at! I know you are terrified, but look at the screen during ultrasound appointments. Ask questions. Ask the fully trained medical professional in front of you what they are looking at. I was never told outright before it was confirmed I had breast cancer, but I knew from my very first ultrasound appointment that it wasn’t good because I asked questions. This is your body and you should be fully aware, every step of the way.’
‘One day at a time. This is your new mantra. I am still struggling with this one, but you cannot plan for side effects from treatment. If you wake up feeling crap, rest. Don’t be afraid to cancel plans last minute, you have cancer! If your body is changing and you have new scars, that’s okay, you’re having intense treatment right now! Please be kind to yourself, focus on facts and not feelings, and take this one day at a time.’
Emma added, ‘For anyone in the middle of treatment right now, I know it’s hard. Have your moments. Cry when you need to. But just remember why you’re doing this – treatment is medicine and not intentionally trying to make you sick. Every day that passes is one step closer to your last day of treatment. We may not know each other, but I know how you’re feeling and I’m so proud of you. Keep going. We’ve got this.’
Emma and Fundraising for Little Lifts to support people affected by breast cancer
Thank you so much, Emma. Your support is so appreciated: raising funds for our charity, helping others by sharing your story, and offering kind words and advice. We can’t thank you enough for your incredible involvement and support. We couldn’t do the work we do without people like you.