An Edinburgh woman has spoken of the isolation she felt after her mum was devastatingly diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Ellen Cameron, 22, was just 16 years old when she was told her mum, Alison Tait, had secondary breast cancer in 2016.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Ellen admitted it was tough for both of them as all they had were each other.
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Alison said that she felt a lump in her breast and after she returned from holiday, she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer that has now spread to her liver. Since 2016, Alison has undergone gruelling sessions of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and a number of operations to help manage the disease.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, daughter Ellen said: "It was just me and my mum. I felt a lot of pressure because I was the only one living with her and seeing her everyday unwell. It was hard for me not to be able to really speak to anyone else about it. It was all on me and I think that's why I crumbled at the pressure of it all."
She admitted she didn't focus much on school during that time and added: "I wouldn't say I was horrible but I am a much nicer person now. I've matured, got a good job with NatWest and me and my mum are like best friends. We are able to relate to each other a lot."
Over the pandemic, the 22-year-old shared how challenging it was. She said: "When it [the cancer] grew back again in 2020, we obviously had to be really careful. I was the only one in the house looking after everything. Then when we came out of lockdown, all of my friends were going out and socialising and I still felt like I couldn't do that.
"It was probably the lowest point in my life where I felt quite isolated. It was really tough."
The trainee chartered accountant went on: "My mum appreciates that I don't pity her or tell her that 'everything is going to be okay', we're both realistic about it. I tell her, 'This is bad, this is what we're living with'. But we're going to make the best of what we've got."
Alison got diagnosed in 2016 and treatment helped the cancer to 'shrink', Ellen explained. However, in 2020, the cancer grew again and Alison underwent a mastectomy. While the cancer is still there, she just needs a scan every six months to ensure it's is no longer spreading.
"This year has been fab though", Ellen said, "I wanted to push myself and do something different for Mum."
Ellen completed the half marathon at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on Sunday May 28 to raise money for Make 2nds Count, a charity extremely close to her and Alison's heart.
Make 2nds Count is an Edinburgh-based charity that supports people affected by secondary cancer. They also support patients in finding clinical trials and support with the clinical trial process.
Ellen added: 'The charity is co-funding a new study focusing on the spread of HER2+ secondary breast cancer to the brain. This is the type of breast cancer that my Mum has so it is of specific interest to us."
You can donate to Ellen's fundraiser on Just Giving.
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