Sienna's story
I was diagnosed in March 2019 with high grade DCIS so I’d only need a mastectomy, I was refused scans as they told me they caught it early, during my mastectomy op they found I also had vascular invasion, and all the lymph nodes contained cancer inside and out, oh yeah and they found a cheeky stage 3 grade 3 IDC hidden behind the DCIS in May 2019. Now I needed the full works, chemo, radio, hormone therapy and whatever else they threw my way.
But what I also couldn’t fully get my head around was that I was told by nearly every medical professional that dealt with me that I was too young for it to be cancer!!! Like really!!
In 2019 I started chemo and my whole life changed I couldn’t hide the chemo like I could my mastectomy and I struggled hard with the changes to my appearance. Then in 2021 after doing the coppafeel Scottish highland trek I was diagnosed with micro mets in my lower spine.
My fertility is gone thanks to the medical menopause, I wasn’t allowed to freeze my eggs as I was told I have two kids and was single. Ps the medical menopause is a pain the butt, the side effects are not spoken about enough. Tamoxifen has its moments I’ve been on it now just over 5 years, it’s a love hate relationship. I love it’s helping me but I hate the side effects.
I’ve struggled with my body confidence ever since, financially it’s hard, and it can become frustrating at time when people tell you to “grab life” or “live life to the fullest” when at times your struggling to put food on the table and keep the bills paid.
But I’ve meet some of the most amazing and beautiful people from such a horrible disease, they have become a second family they understand the anger, the sadness, the frustrations, the support, huge amount of knowledge, the dark humour and jokes we just get each other.
We’re on the same train but everyone journey and destination is different. I’m glad I’m on the train with every last one of you. Because the journey has been easier knowing I’m supported.
January 2025 I got the best news NED, no active evidence of disease. To say 2025 is going to be different to the last 5 years is an understatement
But the one thing I want to scream from the roof tops - please advocate for yourself and never stop. Anyone can get cancer don’t allow anyone to tell you you’re too young. We know our bodies better then anyone listen and always stand up for yourself x
Find out more about my story on my Instagram account.
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