Voice No. 34 - Roisin
Roisin - Voice No. 34
Introducing Roisin - another unique Voice to the campaign sharing several poignant reflections and experiences on her journey to secondary breast cancer. Roisin was 34 weeks pregnant when diagnosed with primary breast cancer ager 32. Her journey shares a rare viewpoint of how the early days of having a new baby were conflicted by the immense fear of having a mastectomy with a 6 day old baby and having chemotherapy during her maternity leave. After initially having primary breast cancer, Roisin began the adoption process for baby number two when her world was shattered. After being, in Roisin's words - belittled, dismissed and even mocked for trying to raise concerns about new pains, eventually Roisin was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and told it was Stage 3C. Roisin was desperate for messages or stories of hope but was initially told to 'manage her expectations' and was given 3 years to live. Roisin's story is so fundamentally important as it is proof that advocating for yourself can actually be the difference between life and death. After doing her own research and asking for a second opinion, Roisin was offered aggressive treatment and surgery (that was initially refused)...and ultimately went into remission. 6 years on and Roisin is still living well, thriving and started her own business. Even after being told she wouldn't be able to adopt, the end of the treatment for the secondary cancer marked the arrival of her adopted son. Both children provided beacons of light during dark times and Roisin has a fierce passion and love for life itself.
HEALTH SPOTLIGHT
Breast Cancer | Secondary breast cancer (Stage 3C) | Miscarriage | Cancer in pregnancy | Adoption | Second Opinion Requests |
PODCAST EPISODE
SCARS OF GOLD
Roisin - Voice No. 34 SCARS OF GOLD
RESOURCES
External resources for more help and information on the topics covered with this Voice spotlight…
BREAST CANCER NOW - Breast cancer support - https://breastcancernow.org
PINK RIBBON FOUNDATION - breast cancer support https://www.pinkribbonfoundation.org.uk
Nipple Innovation Project - NIP Charity for post mastectomy nipple reconstruction https://www.nipcharity.org
ADOPTION UK - support for adoption process https://www.adoptionuk.org
PAC-UK Adoption services and support https://www.pac-uk.org/our-services/adoptive-parentcarer-support/
TIME NORFOLK - wellbeing support following pregnancy loss https://www.timenorfolk.org.uk
MACMILLAN - Cancer During Pregnancy https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/your-treatment-options/pregnancy
Cancer Research UK - Breast Cancer During Pregnancy https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/living-with/breast-cancer-during-pregnancy