A mother’s life was saved after an unusual laundry mishap led to the detection of her cancer. Emma Hall, aged 42, accidentally hit a door frame while carrying a load of laundry, which ultimately led to an unexpected cancer diagnosis.
Living in Gomersal, West Yorkshire, Emma noticed a lump and tenderness in her breast following the incident but initially disregarded it. However, as the tenderness faded and the lump persisted, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was amiss.
Following a series of tests and examinations at her general practitioner’s office, doctors delivered the devastating news of her breast cancer diagnosis. Subsequent surgery removed a significant portion of the cancer, and additional rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy helped shrink its size.
Though Emma hasn’t received a full clearance from doctors, they have assured her that the ongoing hormone therapy treatment will help deter any cancer growth. Since her diagnosis, Emma has actively participated in fundraising and awareness campaigns, such as Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walks, where she was joined by 60 friends and family members.
Reflecting on the incident that kickstarted her journey, Emma recalled, “Days after the bump, the lump hadn’t disappeared. I tried to rationalize it initially, assuming it wasn’t a cause for concern at my age. However, the persistent feeling that something was wrong led me to seek medical advice.”
During the consultation, which coincided with Valentine’s Day, Emma informed the doctor about her lack of family history of breast cancer. Despite this, the GP, concerned about the lump and nipple changes on her other breast, arranged a referral to the breast clinic.
Emma recounted, “The consultant took my concerns seriously from the start, and as the appointment progressed, the gravity of the potential diagnosis hit me. I underwent ultrasound, mammogram, multiple biopsies, and another ultrasound.”
As the examinations continued, the consultant grew increasingly convinced it might be breast cancer, pending confirmation from the results. For Emma, what should have been a romantic Valentine’s Day with her partner, Richard, turned into facing the likelihood of having cancer.
Following the diagnosis of invasive lobular breast cancer, Emma underwent a lengthy nine-hour operation in April at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. The surgery revealed that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, necessitating further operations and treatment.
Emma chronicled her journey on her Instagram page, emma_breast.cancer.and.me, sharing, “All margins showed traces of cancer, prompting the removal of all lymph nodes in a subsequent surgery, and the reconstruction had to be removed. It felt like a significant setback, and the once manageable cancer suddenly became more daunting.”
Subsequent treatments at the Bexley Wing at St James’ Hospital in Leeds included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. Throughout her treatment, Emma marked her 40th birthday and her daughter’s GCSE results, moments that were overshadowed by hospital visits instead of a planned family trip to Disney World.
Three years later, Emma continues her hormone therapy treatment to prevent further growth. She and her husband have rebranded Valentine’s Day as Live Life Day.
Since her diagnosis, Emma has been actively raising awareness by participating in Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walks with a team of 60 supporters, aiming to increase awareness about the disease. The upcoming walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 4.
Emma emphasized, “Participating in events like Shine is a great way to support research that could lead to life-saving discoveries and breakthroughs.”
Donations to Emma’s fundraiser can be made online.