Emma Perkins was overjoyed to be pregnant with her first child - but she couldn’t shake the suspicion that something was wrong when she began experiencing sharp chest pains.
The expectant mum, from Brisbane, noticed shooting pains in her breasts but she put the symptom down to her pregnancy.
However, at 12 weeks pregnant, she was given a devastating breast cancer diagnosis - leaving her fearing the worst over whether her much-wanted son will survive.
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“I was told that the pregnancy was actually fuelling the type of cancer I had,” Emma said.
Before her shock diagnosis, Emma had noticed changes to her breasts but she put off seeing a doctor because she was “too busy”.
“I was getting some pain, but I just thought it was pregnancy related,” she said.
But her world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in July last year.
“There was a fear it was going to be terminal and I wouldn’t get to see my son grow up,” Emma told The Courier Mail.
She said she felt the diagnosis “robbed the joy” of her pregnancy as she shifted all her focus on getting through her treatments.
Emma endured months of gruelling treatments, including a lumpectomy and node removal, followed by 16 rounds of chemotherapy at the Mater Private Hospital in Brisbane.
In February, the mum gave birth to a healthy baby son named Owen.
As she held her newborn son in her arms, she said she knew just how lucky they were to both be alive.
‘Little warrior’
“He was there for the journey, his name means ‘little warrior’, he endured 11 rounds of chemo inside and operations and is a little fighter,” she said.
Just two months later, Emma was told she was “cancer-free”.
She was so overwhelmed by the news, she said she burst into tears when her oncologist gave her the all clear.
“I remember that day so well,” she now says.
“I was spending the day with my dad and Owen in Redcliffe as it was the anniversary of my mum’s passing.
“I received the call from my oncologist while we were in a gift shop. My dad and I both started crying and hugging in the middle of the shop.”
To give back to the hospital that saved the life of her unborn baby, Emma - who is now in remission - wanted to shine the spotlight on Mater Giving Day this week.
The mum - who was a donor before her diagnosis - is now even more supportive of the annual fundraiser.
“Now I understand first-hand how important research and equipment is within a hospital and is much needed to improve patient outcomes,” she said.
‘Best outcome’
“I donated knowing that my donation will help others – never did I think that someday I would be a patient.
“The team have been caring and supportive since day one and I have trusted every decision they have made in giving me the best outcome to kick cancer.
“My beautiful oncologist said that even though my chemotherapy is over they will still be there for me every step of the way as I am still undergoing active treatment.”
Mater Foundation chief executive Andrew Thomas said last year $1.6 million was raised in just 24 hours.
Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and it is estimated that one in eight females and one in 668 males will be diagnosed by the time they are 85.
It was estimated more than 20,600 people were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 - with the average age being 62 years old.
The condition is the abnormal growth of the cells lining glands or ducts in the breast. These cells grow uncontrollably and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.
Warning signs
If you do have symptoms, they could include:
- new lumps or thickening in the breast, especially if in only one breast
- nipple sores, change in shape of the nipple
- nipple discharge or turning in
- changes in the size or shape of the breast
- skin of the breast dimpling
- discomfort or swelling in the armpit
- rash or red swollen breasts
- ongoing pain that is not related to your menstrual cycle that remains after your period and occurs in only one breast
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