A MOTHER whose cancer symptoms were dismissed as “pregnancy changes” has completed an ultramarathon.
Emma Tagliavini, 35, was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer last summer after giving birth to her son, George, seven months earlier.
She had previously noticed a lump in her breast during the early months of her pregnancy but it was thought likely be related to the pregnancy.
Emma told The Argus: “By the time it was diagnosed, our son George was seven months old and my cancer had already spread to most of my bones and my liver.
“It was devastating. Thankfully I have responded well to my initial chemotherapy and the treatment that I continue to receive is keeping my cancer stable.”
Emma, from Hove, is a paediatric nurse at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton and has now returned to work part time.
She said: “The bittersweet silver lining to our situation is that we feel everything so deeply now and take nothing for granted.
“I am keen to make the most of this period of stability to raise money and awareness, particularly of breast cancer in pregnancy.
“Breast cancer in pregnancy is difficult to diagnose because of all the hormonal changes happening at that time.
“It’s therefore so important to seek help from your GP if you notice any changes, and to go back and advocate for yourself if any lumps don’t resolve.”
Emma and her husband Tom, 39, who also works at the Royal Alex, have now completed a 100km ultramarathon to raise money for a cancer charity.
Emma said: “The charity we are raising money for is called Make 2nds Count.
“They help fund vital research into treatments for secondary breast cancer.
“This is when cancer has spread to other parts of the body and is also known as stage four, or advanced.
“These treatments are literal lifelines for me and women in my position who will be on treatment for the rest of our lives.
“Research will keep us alive for longer. We deserve the chance for more time with our loved ones.”
The couple took on the Race to the Stones Ultramarathon along the ancient ridgeway to the Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire.
Emma gave up running when she was diagnosed due to the cancer being in her spine.
She and Tom completed the distance as a hike over two days, a huge challenge as fatigue is one of the main side effects of Emma’s treatment.
Emma said: “The heat this weekend made it incredibly challenging, but we took it one step at a time when we needed to and got there.
“The thing I would like people to do is go get any niggles checked and to go back if you’re still worried.
“If my story makes people live life more richly, and stress a little less, then that makes me so happy.”
To donate to Emma’s fundraiser visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-and-tom-100km
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