Jane’s Journey
The Breast Cancer Awareness Photo Sessions
Intro
When I decided to set up the Breast Cancer Awareness Photo Sessions, the first step was to find willing volunteers!
I set about putting a “call-out” on my social media pages and, to be honest, wasn’t sure if it would yield any results.
However, on the 30th August I received a private message, on Instagram, from Jane.
She had heard about the photo sessions from her hairdresser, whose child I had photographed at the nursery a couple of years ago and who has since followed me on social media - Talk about a chain of events!
Jane is a Breast Cancer UK Ambassador and she lives, quite literally, 10 minutes from me - when I read her story at the Breast Cancer UK website (link at the end of the post), I knew that I needed to look no further…
In addition to photographing beautiful Jane, I felt that it was absolutely imperative that her journey was told in her own voice and so I am utterly proud to bring you Jane’s Story, as written by Jane, herself.
Jane Allen, Breast Cancer Survivor & Prevention Advocate
Unfortunately I was diagnosed and treated for rare Triple Negative breast cancer in 2007/08 at the age of 41.
Even years before, I had arranged a number of ‘Wear it Pink’ fundraising events. During treatment and especially afterwards, I continued to fundraise for various Breast Cancer charities – Wear it Pink, Race for Life, purchasing Tickled Pink items, arranging Strawberry teas and so on!
For a number of years I have now been an Ambassador for Breast Cancer UK (BCUK). BCUK raises awareness of the preventable risk factors for breast cancer. They provide practical information to help lower people’s risk, and campaign for policy change to support prevention. They also fund scientific research to help improve our understanding of how to stop the disease.
At the very start of the Covid-19 pandemic I chose to take on a ‘2.6 challenge’ in order to raise vital funds, as BCUK suffered a considerable loss in income, with very little help from the Government. Income that should otherwise go to vital breast cancer research and prevention. I started on 26th April, rowing 2000 metres a day for 26 days. The end total being 52,000 metres! I was lucky enough to own a superb Concept 2 state of the art indoor rowing machine that for one reason or another I had not used for a while. I even managed to break my personal best over and over again!
My breast cancer treatment consisted of a full mastectomy and the majority of the lymph nodes on my left hand side were removed. There were complications as a result of the surgery and I was very poorly for a while. Then when the chemotherapy and radio therapy kicked in I suffered further setbacks with excruciating joint pain and many other side effects
When I was initially diagnosed, as we had not been together for very long, I did offer my partner the door, but he insisted on staying put, and supported me so much all the way through.
When my hair fell out due to chemotherapy, he even shaved my head for me. We were bald together!
In 2014 we got married and we always say to each other “that he has seen me with only one breast for longer than he has seen me with two!”.
Due to having a prosthesis, underwear has always been an issue for me. Not being able to find suitably fitting, comfortable, or lovely looking bras. This also became an issue with regards to a wedding dress, as many were strapless, and it was proving difficult for me to make the look work with only one breast.
My wedding dress dream came true after finding a lady who adapted a strapless bridal bra for me, by creating a pocket and filling it with teddy bear stuffing!
Everyone was so surprised when I walked down the aisle minus thick straps, especially my partner. It was a very special moment.
Being able to have my photo shoot session with the talented Andrea, minus my prosthesis, made me feel so very relaxed and ‘free’, and I have thanked Andrea so very much. The shoot was a wonderful experience for both or us.
Here are some useful links:
Breast Cancer UK: www.breastcanceruk.org.uk
Link to an article Jane interviewed for at the beginning of 2020: https://www.asdagoodliving.co.uk/community/learning-to-love-your-body-again
Link to Jane’s Story on the Breast Cancer UK website: https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-stories/janes-story/
