A fitness instructor diagnosed with breast cancer at 39 has paid tribute to the outstanding Ipswich Hospital clinicians whose care and compassion gave her hope for the future.
Emma Jayne Dale, who moved to Suffolk from Hampshire in 2015 after her Apache pilot husband Joe was posted to Wattisham Airfield with the Army Air Corps, has issued a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the teams who have treated her following her diagnosis in February.
“The Ipswich team from the very first moment, could not have been nicer,” said Mrs Dale, who lives in Hadleigh.
“Elizabeth Ball, the breast consultant and fellow breast cancer survivor, broke the news to me. Knowing that she understood exactly how I felt and what I was going through really helped me to process everything and know that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
“My breast cancer nurse, Aly Spicer, is a huge asset to Ipswich Hospital and has been with me through every step of the way.
“Having this genuinely warm and caring person has literally transformed this journey for me. Without Aly this would have been much scarier to deal with.
“Evangelos Mallidis, my breast surgeon, could not have been better. He very quickly provided us with not only the facts and figures and options in terms of surgery but gave a very warm and caring side.
“For such an incredibly busy team, never did we feel rushed, or just a number.”
To show her appreciation, Mrs Dale has raised more than £7,000 for Ipswich Hospital’s Blossom Appeal for a new breast care centre by holding various events.
Mrs Dale said backing the campaign “gave my cancer a purpose”.
She also praised the communities of Hadleigh and Wattisham, as well at the Army Air Corps, for their support.
The diagnosis has brought to the fore for Mrs Dale the stark fact that: “cancer can happen to anyone”.
Mrs Dale exercises regularly, is mindful of what she eats and drinks and is a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer.
And according to Cancer Research UK, just 4% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK are under the age of 40.
Mrs Dale has undergone a mastectomy and is now having radiotherapy treatment.
Her husband has been selected for a three-year posting in America so the couple will be leaving Suffolk in July.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here