"Out of something so life destroying, came something so precious."

In August 2019, a week after getting married, I felt a lump in my right breast. At first I was a little taken back, I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t felt it before, as it felt quite large. A few days later, my husband and I went on our honeymoon. During this time, I was convinced that “the lump” was due to my period or I’d knocked my breast at some point.  Not for one second did it cross my mind that I would have breast cancer at the ages of 29…I was wrong.

After various tests and biopsies, I was told on September 23rd 2019, that I had grade 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I remember sitting in the doctor’s office, in a haze. They were telling me so much information that went in one ear and out of the other. The only words I could string together was, “Am I going to die?”

Following on from that initial appointment. I had to find the courage had to tell my family, friends and colleagues that I had breast cancer. Seeing their hearts break as well as mine was so painful.

I decided to do something positive. I cut my gorgeous, long hair and I donated it to The Princess Trust charity. Then, I had 3 weeks of intense tests and scans. I was also told that I could freeze my eggs, as the chances of me having children naturally was low. My husband came to all of my appointments with me and was my rock. I was told that the cancer was also in my lymph nodes too.

In the October, I began treatment with 12 lots of chemotherapy, then a lumpectomy/full lymph node removal and finally radiotherapy. I finished all my treatment in May 2020. These were the longest 7 months of my life. Not only did I have to deal with the fact I had breast cancer so young, I had to lose all my hair, gain weight and have my 30th birthday whilst having treatment too.

I came to Maggie’s several times whilst I was ill. When I first walked in, I was greeted by a friendly man who made me a drink and gave me information about the centre. He told me to sit down and relax, so I sat looking out onto the garden. It was very peaceful.

I also attended some breast cancer support groups, where I met women who were going through treatment too. We made a what’s app group and still continue to chat. Another time, I came in and just cried. The counsellor that was there at Maggie’s just listened. She really helped me that day. 

I finished all my treatment during the middle of the first lockdown. Slowly then, did I try and start to rebuild my life.

In December 2020, I received the biggest shock of my life (yes even more than my cancer diagnosis) I unexpectedly found out that I was pregnant naturally.  12 weeks ago, I gave birth to my miracle baby, Jessica. She’s perfect. Out of something so life destroying, came something so precious.

I try to live my life to the fullest now. However, the thought the cancer will come back, one day never goes away. I am in constant fear of this, even more so now I have a baby.

I wanted to participate in Maggie’s on the Runway for two main reasons. Firstly, to highlight the fact that breast cancer doesn’t just happen “when you’re older” (I did used to think this, which is ridiculous) and secondly, to show people that you should never give up, you can still have your happy ending.

Lauren x