A Bournemouth-based author is writing an inspirational book about her cancer diagnosis, with the help of a small local charity.
Writer Emily J. Johnson was diagnosed with thyroid cancer ‘completely out of the blue’ after her GP spotted an unusual swelling in her neck during a routine appointment in April.
In the last nine months, she has undergone surgery and in-patient radiation treatment to remove her tumour and thyroid.
Emily has used her lengthy treatment and recuperation time to write an account of her experiences on a digital portable typewriter bought for her by the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) and hopes to publish her as-yet un-named book at the end of 2024.
She said: “I went to my doctor at the end of last April with what I thought was eczema on my foot. While I was there, he noticed an asymmetrical shape to my neck. I had never even noticed it. But he was concerned enough to refer me for a hospital scan and some blood tests.
“Two weeks later I had the scan and a biopsy of a mass on my thyroid. Although my blood tests were all normal, I was referred on to an endocrinologist who said that in order to rule out cancer, I would require part of my thyroid and the mass to be removed for further pathology testing.
“This revealed I had follicular cancer which had probably been there for years.
“The news I had cancer completely spun me off my feet,” she continued.
“I had just recovered from an eating disorder about which I had published my second book, Belly, and I had a digital book tour planned. I was getting my life back on track. Now I had cancer too.”
Emily had a second round of surgery to remove the remainder of her thyroid which went well, but several hours later, she suffered a ruptured vein in her neck which took her back into emergency surgery and put her in intensive care for three days.
“I suffered palsy in my left vocal cord which made me lose my voice for several weeks and affected my breathing,” she said. “What had been originally a straightforward course of treatment soon became more complex and I faced an extended period of recovery.
“When the pathology results came back from my second surgery, the remaining part of my thyroid was found to have a second, different type of thyroid cancer known as papillary cancer. I was dumbfounded. I was still trying to accept the first cancer diagnosis.”
Rather than being beaten by the complications, Emily said she experienced an ‘epiphany’.
“During the bleed I had what I can only describe as a “near death experience whilst conscious, which has been lifechanging.” she said.
“I found a deep admiration for my body as it healed after years of disordered eating and self-hatred. I recognised how hard it was working to heal for me.
“I re-discovered meditation during my cancer journey and used it to help during my recovery. I also decided I would write a book in the many weeks of recuperation ahead.”
Emily was also referred to the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation by her cancer support worker. The charity fundraises to help Dorset people who experience financial hardship because of a cancer diagnosis.
“My fridge had broken just before my second surgery, and I needed a new one which this fantastic charity arranged. I talked to one of the charity administrators about my wish to write a book about my cancer journey and she urged me to apply for funding to buy a digital typewriter which I could take with me to appointments.
“I never would have been able to afford one of these myself. This tiny machine has been an absolute Godsend, travelling with me to hospital, allowing me to write on the go, and also in hospital whilst undergoing radiation.”
Emily works as a Customer Care Advisor for Poole-based cosmetics company Lush and has self-published two previous books.
“It might sound strange, but I feel I have been given a second chance at life and feel much stronger from having gone through cancer,” she added.
“In fact, I wouldn’t change any of it, despite how challenging it has been. I have learned to reconnect with my body and to appreciate the simplest of things in life.
“I have some further testing and will hopefully get the all-clear (fingers crossed!) in October this year.
“I hope my book will both help and inspire readers who also find themselves on a cancer journey.
“My own journey has also introduced me to the DCCF, and I look forward to repaying their kindness to me by being involved in some of their future fundraising events.”
Jannine Loveys, Fundraising Manager for the DCCF said: “Our charity is here to help local people facing hardship because of a cancer diagnosis. Emily came to us for help in replacing a vital household item and we were touched by her passion to tell her story.
“We are helping to support even more families across Dorset every month and are always deeply encouraged to hear how our work helps to ease the huge pressure placed upon people’s lives by this illness. We hope Emily’s story will inspire others during their own cancer journeys and may also encourage more people to support the DCCF’s fundraising in any way they can.”
For information on how to apply for help from the DCCF or to fundraise for the charity please visit: www.dccf.co.uk
Picture caption: INSPIRING STORY – Bournemouth author Emily J. Johnson has been helped to write the story of her cancer journey by Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).