PHOTOGRAPHY BY IMELDA BELL CHILDREN AND FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER MAIDSTONE LIFE CHANGING
LIFE CHANGING EVENTS
One morning in December 2017, I rolled over in bed and felt a tightening in my right breast. I’d been aware of a thicker area for a while, but this time I felt what every woman dreads – a definite lump. I called my GP and got an appointment the same day. After examining me, he didn’t think it was too sinister, but referred me to a specialist breast surgeon. We are fortunate to have private healthcare, so a few days later, I found myself at the one stop breast clinic at KIMS Hospital in Maidstone. Confident that it would be nothing to worry about, I didn’t think to ask my husband or anyone to accompany me and I faced several examinations and tests on my own. After a mammogram and an ultrasound during which a biopsy was taken, I was called back to see my consultant. I sat down, still sure everything was precautionary and was greeted with the words, “You almost certainly have breast cancer!” Shell-shocked I drove home, with an appointment the following week to get confirmation. That was the longest week I have experienced, as I clung to the slim hope that he was wrong.
A week later, I returned with Andy, my husband, to get the results. My legs nearly buckled under me, as I climbed out of the car and walked the endlessly long, heavy-limbed walk to the consultants office. Once there, he confirmed what we feared, it was cancer. The area of thickening I had felt months earlier and not known to worry about was Ductal carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), which is an early form of breast cancer and covered a fairly large area of my breast. The lump was a cancerous tumour! Due to the size of the area of DCIS, a lumpectomy was not an option, I would require a mastectomy of my right breast.
Please take the time to familiarise yourselves with the possible signs of breast cancer. I was not aware of all of them, and had I visited my GP earlier, perhaps my breast would have been saved and things would not have progressed as they did.
The image below is from Breast Cancer Care’s website.

Once it was confirmed that my treatment plan was surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy (Herceptin), I decided to take control of some things. I was told I would probably lose my hair, so I decided to cut my long hair to make the change less traumatic and at the same time, help someone else by donating my hair to the Little Princess Trust. In the photos below, you can see the before and after.

Keep smiling!!!
Imelda you’re such an inspiration and I’m in tears reading your journey so far! You’re such a wonderful person and you know I love your work and I’m sure it’s helping you to stay positive through a very traumatic time! Sending much love, strength and hugs always, keep smiling!! Xx
Thanks so much Carly xx
I am.in tears as I read this, Imelda…you are my friend, an inspiration, and someone I hold very dear to.my heart in the little time we have known each other. Although I feeI so deeply for you, I cannot fathom what you have gone through in such a few short months, and you and your family are in my heArt and in my prayers frequently. I know you know you are loved by so.many, and Family Black.is amongst the ranks standing beside you on this journey. The day I.can hug you again and drink African wine together cannot come soon enough. XO we love you!
Thanks Andrea, I can feel the virtual hugs across the miles xx
I’m sure you have the strength to battle through this and hopefully your story will help countless other people to do the same.
Well done you for sharing and my total respect and best wishes to you and your family.
Thanks so much x
Imelda I love your cheerfulness. Good luck with the therapy and I hope all turns out well for you.
Rob
Thanks so much Rob.
Bless you for sharing your journey so far and the images of you are beautiful!
I too am a photographer (I’m in Scotland) and I was diagnosed with HR+ breast cancer in September 2015. I was lucky in that a lumpectomy (twice) and 15 rounds of radiotherapy was my treatment plus I will be on a ‘preventative’ drug for the next 10 years.
Sadly, I felt I couldn’t continue my floundering business and took the step to close it although I still do bits and pieces of photography.
I’m writing a book about my own journey and it’s great therapy.
You are so brave and I for one understand some of what you’ve mentioned here. I wish you well and stay strong.
Take care,
Blue 🙂 x
Thanks Blue,
Thanks so much. My photography keeps me going. Good luck with your book. I’ve been keeping a diary, which helps a lot. It’s quite satisfying to look back and see how far I’ve come since diagnosis, and as you say, great therapy.
Imelda
Imelda – I’m so sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis and subsequent journey, but you do appear to be kicking cancers butt. My sister in law went through a similar experience and is now 5 years cancer free. Strength to you – sending love and healing vibes.
Thanks, glad to hear your sister in law is ok 🙂
Love this blog! Good to see you this morning
Jenny x