Diagnosis (finally) and beginning treatment - JULY 2022

I’ve struggled to decide whether to document what most of you will know I’m going through at the moment but in the end I decided it feels wrong to gloss over it, like I’d be leaving something incomplete, perhaps it’s the English student in me.

In March 2022, I went to my GP as I had found a small lump. I had, as is so often the case, tried to ignore it for a couple of months, assuming it would solve itself. After a number of incorrect diagnoses and surgeries, a biopsy was finally taken.

A few weeks later I was diagnosed with cancer. The 'c' word had been floated around prior to this but I had of course clung to the hope that it might be anything else. At this point I was referred to Nottingham City Hospital for treatment.

I am currently undergoing treatment for what the experts believe to be a ‘Ewings type’ sarcoma. A very aggressive soft tissue tumour. In classic Emma style, it isn’t actually anything they’ve ever seen before and my consultant tells me they might never know exactly (I’ve told him I don’t really care and he can spend as long as he likes studying it as long as he can get it out first).

I have just completed my 3rd round of chemo, which puts me a third of the way through the current plan (we’ve learned not to get too attached to plans). My hair is gone, which is pretty wild as being ginger has been felt like such a part of who I’ve always been, it’s probably what has brought the most tears which feels silly in the grand scheme of things. Mostly, I’m feeling good and aside from a few infections and temperatures I’m doing pretty well.

Cancer is shit, I’ve known plenty of it in my life, as so many of us have and unfortunately will, it has taken some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever known and I have to say, having it yourself isn’t much better. But it has given me a new appreciation for the power of research and modern medicine and what can be achieved and most importantly has shown me just how fortunate I am to have the people in my life that I do.

Since diagnosis I have watched my family and friends come together in a way I could not have imagined and I truly have the most incredible support. I have had messages and visits and care packages from the kindest of people. I have one of the rarest cancers in the world at 26 years old and though I have my moments, somehow mostly I feel like one of the luckiest people alive to be surrounded by so many amazing people.

If you are able, I would appreciate it so much if you could support some of them as they complete their first challenge in aid of cancer research, we are mind blowingly close to raising 20k.