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.

Christmas became an insignificant blur amongst tests and hospital appointments, and it emerged that I have HER2 positive breast Cancer. This occurs in about 15-20% of breast cancers , where there are too many copies of the HER2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor) on the cells. These receptors trigger the cells to grow and divide more rapidly. You can find out more about HER2+ Breast cancer here.

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.

As a photographer, I am very fortunate to have many talented friends, and my close friend Claire, from Forever Memories, came all the way from Durham to see me. I don’t really like being in front of the camera, but I didn’t want to regret not having photographs taken before surgery changed my appearance. Claire used my studio and my camera to do a photoshoot of me, showing off “my assets”. I’m not one to show off my body, as I have gained so much weight over the years, so being photographed in minimal clothing was not something I would have been comfortable doing, but Claire was great and put me at ease and we had a lot of fun. It really gave me the opportunity to experience what it is like on the other side of the camera, which has helped me grow as a photographer too. There were a few tears along the way as we spoke of what was scheduled in the forthcoming year, but it was a wonderful positive experience and I’m very glad that I did it. I edited the images, but I haven’t looked at them since my surgery, but I wanted to share them with you. In one of the photos, I left the bruise from a biopsy, as I felt that it was part of my story. I love the photos and I’m so grateful to Claire for taking them for me.

Surgery was set for the 8th January, and on schedule I was admitted to KIMS and my right breast was removed. I was warned that although initial tests showed that the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes, once the nodes are removed and examined, they can find areas which were missed during a needle biopsy, so worst case scenario would be further surgery to remove the lymph nodes. I spent a few days in hospital and then returned to see my consultant the following week to see what the next step would be. Unfortunately the results weren’t as expected, the biopsy of the lymph nodes they had removed had come back showing that the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, so I was stage 3. The next step was a second surgery to remove the remaining lymph nodes and two weeks later I was admitted to the Spire in Tunbridge Wells for an axillary node clearance. After surgery I was determined to heal and be well enough to attend the Guild of Photography Awards just to get some normality back into my life. You can see my post on the awards here. Unfortunately I then developed an infection and ended up in hospital for a week as soon as I returned home. Thankfully I got over all that, and was fit enough to have a portacath fitted as a day patient at KIMS in Maidstone in time for my first chemotherapy on 27 February. Here I am with my mascots Faith & Hope, who have their own Instagram account documenting my journey.

Finally I was ready for chemotherapy to start at GenesisCare in King’s Hill, Maidstone. The day of my first chemo arrived, and we awoke to the heaviest snow that had fallen in the UK for years.We left really early to make make sure we got there in time, and the usual 25 minute journey took 2 and a half hours! We even saw someone ski past the car at one point – not something you see every day in Maidstone, but it gave us a giggle on an otherwise fairly stressful day!

Everything has seemed very surreal, almost like I am outside my body and watching it happen to someone else. I’ve now lost most of the hair on my head , but being bald isn’t as bad as I thought. It’s certainnly a lot quicker in the shower, and think of the savings on shampoo and conditioner!! I’m well on my way to kicking cancer’s butt, and I intend to do it with a smile on my face and positive thoughts in my head. Yes, there are times that I feel awful, but I’m getting into a routine and I’m trying to keep going with my photography. I’ve visited the rhinos that I love so much and apart from a few days after chemo, it’s business as usual.

I am surrounded by some amazing people, and I am fortunate enough to be part of the photographic community, which gives me tremendous strength. I have received so many beautiful cards and gifts from friends letting me know they are with me. I feel truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. I am still taking bookings and doing shoots, although not as many as I would usually do in a month, so that I can stay strong and ensure that I deliver my usual quality service to my clients. If you want to book a studio or location shoot, please don’t leave it until the last minute to avoid disappointment if I am fully booked. I love life, I’m living my life and I love my photography and I just thought I would leave you with a final word that I recorded as a message, which will hopefully leave you smiling at my silliness (yes, my kids are mortified!).

My friend Claire will be back to do a second photo shoot with me, so check back to see how we get on with that. Thanks so much for all your support and good wishes. And remember to check your boobs!!

Keep smiling!!!

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13 Comments

Carly Sinden on April 1, 2018 at 4:45 am

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
Reply
- Imelda Bell on April 1, 2018 at 6:48 pm
  
  Thanks so much Carly xx
  Reply
Andrea on April 1, 2018 at 5:02 am

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!
Reply
- Imelda Bell on April 1, 2018 at 6:47 pm
  
  Thanks Andrea, I can feel the virtual hugs across the miles xx
  Reply
PRGH on April 1, 2018 at 10:18 am

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.
Reply
- Imelda Bell on April 1, 2018 at 6:47 pm
  
  Thanks so much x
  Reply
Rob Andrews on April 1, 2018 at 1:41 pm

Imelda I love your cheerfulness. Good luck with the therapy and I hope all turns out well for you.

Rob
Reply
- Imelda Bell on April 1, 2018 at 6:46 pm
  
  Thanks so much Rob.
  Reply
Blue White on April 1, 2018 at 6:00 pm

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
Reply
- Imelda Bell on April 1, 2018 at 6:46 pm
  
  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
  Reply
Cindy on April 2, 2018 at 4:41 pm

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.
Reply
- Imelda Bell on April 7, 2018 at 3:38 pm
  
  Thanks, glad to hear your sister in law is ok 🙂
  Reply
Jenny Elliott on June 1, 2018 at 12:23 pm

Love this blog! Good to see you this morning
Jenny x
Reply

Life Changing Events

LIFE CHANGING EVENTS

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