We all know of someone that has been affected by some form of cancer in some way. We never really think that a doctor would ever say ‘its cancer’ to ourselves though. I DEFINITELY didn’t think that those two words would cross a doctor’s mouth to me. But in November 2018 they did. 

On 23rd November 2018 I was diagnosed with Stage 2 melanoma (a lump had been growing on my abdomen and it grew quite quickly so I had a biopsy performed. Once removed the consultant informed me that it hasn’t just been growing outside, the lump had been growing down into my body). I felt my whole world stop when I was told. I was in complete shock and felt numb. At the time I was 37 weeks pregnant with my gorgeous little boy Jacob and all I could think about was him. I was hoping and praying he would be alright. We chose to get him induced as soon as possible so surgery could be started on me quickly as the melanoma was already quite aggressive. The next day I was back in hospital at 8am getting induced. The following day on 25th November Jacob was born weighing 6lb 8oz, a perfectly healthy little boy.

Weeks past and further tests and appointments were done (my wound was starting to heal and my first CT scan came back clear for cancer) but fast forward to just before Christmas I was to get my surgery for a single lymph node to be removed for testing and the wound site to be reopened deeper for procedure to make sure nothing else was there. My surgery day came and it wasn’t good news - two melanoma lumps were found near my original wound and when a lymph node was removed, a mass of melanoma was found hidden away under my arm. Therefore, all of my lymph nodes on my left side had to be removed for testing and my wound had to be reopened even wider. The melanoma had increased to a Stage 3 melanoma in such a short time due to how aggressive it was. I spent 4 days in hospital with 3 drains in my left abdomen (draining fluid from my body as all my lymph nodes were removed on that side) and recovering due to how invasive the surgery was, but I was determined to be at home for Christmas. Thankfully my determination and fight paid off, the drains were removed and I was discharged on Christmas Eve. Thankfully I was able to spend Christmas as a new family in my own home. 

The new year came with more tests and another CT scan was performed. It was good news and bad news. Good news was that no cancer showed up on the places the surgeons had operated on. But the bad news was I tested positive for a BRAF mutation (hence why the cancer kept growing) and a small ‘fleck’ had shown up on my lung. The surgeons and nurses believe that due to my immune system being low with being pregnant and my body being full of pregnancy hormones that it could be the reason why the cancer has been so aggressive and is trying to take over my body this quick. I’m now undergoing treatment consisting of a combination of Mekinist and Tafinlar every day, for at least the next 2 years and having routine CT scans every 3 months, along with heart scans and physio for my left arm. I have good days and bad days when it comes to the treatment where I feel nauseous, my joints ache, I feel ‘spaced out,’ dizzy and tired. However I still won’t be out of the woods after 2 years, the next 5 years after that will be consisting of more CT scans and routine appointments, even if the medication kills the cancer.

These past few months definitely haven’t been easy and I’ve still got a long way to go. My left arm may never fully recover and I may experience numbness, pins and needles and twinges every now and then. But I’m going to fight this cancer. I’ve been fighting it since the day I found out in November and I’m not going to stop. I’ve found an inner strength through this which has shocked me, as a lot of my friends and family will agree, I’ve never really been a strong person. I’ve had knock back after knock back and I’ve picked myself back up and fought back even harder. Cancer will NEVER win. I’m wearing my scars on my abdomen with pride. They are a reminder of when life tried to break me but failed. 

I wasn’t sure at first if I wanted to put it all out there what I have been through but now I want to raise awareness and tell my story. I’m wanting to raise as much as I can along with some of my amazing fiancé, friends and family who have been there for me since day one. Their huge love and support (and everyone else’s) has kept me going and will continue until I have beat this cancer. (Also, even though he isn’t aware of what I’ve been going through yet, my little boy is still doing amazing. His smiles, giggles and his little character is making me stronger and stronger every day. Whenever I’m feeling upset I just look at his smiling face and every bad thought and feeling just disappears). I want to thank every single surgeon, midwife, consultant and nurse (from both Newcastle RVI, Freeman hospital, Mcmillian and The Park Medical) for being a huge support too. You all went above and beyond to make sure that I was as comfortable as possible with anything. 

Now enough about me, I’m not doing this event on my own. I’ve got an amazing team of fabulous ladies behind me. The ladies are Chelsea, Bjorg, Ashleigh, Joanne, Chloe, Trish, Janine, Kelly, Gill, Katie, Linda, Belinda, Brenda, Nicola, Elizabeth and Jodie.


So please donate to help us smash our target and to help beat cancer. Not just for me, but for everyone involved in this awful disease. 

Zoe x

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