24/06/2025
đ§Ź Why Without Technology, I Would Be Facing a Certain Death Sentence đť
It started with a thought. A small, nagging thought I couldnât shake. đ¤
With a family history of breast cancer, I decided to ask my GP about my own risk. đŠş
That decision set off a chain of events that I never expectedâbut one that may just save my life. đ
Because I followed my curiosity, my GP advised me to book into an appointment with a breast specialist (as a regular GP canât refer you to a genetic counsellor) to discuss my risk. đ§Ź
Based on completing an online survey and a conversation with the breast specialist, my risk was only slightly higher than the average woman my age. Great, I thoughtâdespite both my mum and my aunty passing away from breast cancer. đ
âIt shouldnât be a problem,â she said. âBut just to be certain, letâs do some breast checks.â đŠââď¸
Meeting âHenryâ đ¤
And thatâs how I ended up getting my very first mammogram. If youâve never had one, imagine what it might be like to hug a robotâone that gets a bit handsy. I jokingly named the machine âHenryâ because of a sticker on it labeled âHologic.â Henry gave my b***s a firm, awkward squeeze while a technician stood by, watching and taking photos. đ¸ Awkward much?
After my first round of images, I was sent for an ultrasoundânothing new to me. But then, back to Henry again for a second round of imaging. I assumed they were just double-checking something routine, maybe the fibroadenomas I already knew I had. đ¤ˇââď¸
Then came the moment I never saw coming.
The Words That Changed Everything đŹ
The doctor walked into the ultrasound room and said they found something suspicious. A biopsy was needed. Not only that, but they would also insert a tiny coil to track this âlumpâ more closely. đ§Ş
I broke into tears. đ˘
Iâm 43.
I thought this was something I might have to deal with when I was older.
Not now.
Not yet.
I have things to do.
I have a business to grow. đź
I have places to travel to. âď¸
But cancer doesnât wait for the âright time.â âł
The sonographer who assisted during the biopsy held my handâa small gesture that meant everything. đ¤ In that moment, I didnât even realise I needed the comfort of human touch, but I did.
Afterward, I was ushered back to the doctorâs office, staring at images of my own breasts, discussing what made this lump look âsuspiciousââthe shape, the calcifications, the way it appeared on the scan. I was handed a brochure about the different types of breast cancer. đ
âWe need to book you in with a surgeon,â the doctor said.
âBut first, we wait for the confirmation of the biopsy results.â đ°ď¸
And so, the waiting began.
Then Came the Call đ
A few days later, my phone rang.
The biopsy confirmed what I had feared. Itâs cancer. đď¸
I donât have all the details yet, and thereâs a journey ahead of me. đśââď¸
But hereâs what I do know:
If I hadnât listened to that nagging thought in the back of my mind, I wouldnât have gone to the doctor.
If I hadnât seen a specialist who cared enough to say, letâs check, just in case, I wouldnât have met Henry.
Without technologyâmammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, and labsâI wouldnât have had early detection.
Without compassionate doctors, sonographers, and specialists, I would have faced this journey alone.
Technology and human care combined have given me something invaluableâtime. â°
Time to take action. Time to fight. Time to hope. đŞđ
So pleaseâmake the appointment. Do the check. Use the tech.
Embrace whatâs available to us nowâincluding AI. đ¤
Because the life you save might be your own. â¤ď¸
P.S. If you donât know where to start, just book an appointment with your GP. They can guide you. đŠş
P.P.S. At this stage, I have a journey ahead. But Iâm grateful I even have the chance to take it. đ
P.P.P.S. Moving forward, I will be shifting the way I work and how I workâto help more people embrace technology in their businesses so they can create a better future. Whether itâs building a tool that makes life easier, developing a system that improves efficiency, or even creating something that saves lives, we all have the power to shape the future for everyone through technology. đ