Emily was 26 years old when she first noticed a lump in her left breast. After initially assuming it would just go away, she eventually went to her GP, who sent her for an ultrasound. A Stage 3B Breast Cancer diagnosis followed, as did 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, and five weeks of radiation therapy.

Around a year later, Emily received the heartbreaking news that her cancer had returned and had now metastasised to her bones.

“I was angry that I had done everything they had thrown at me, and I’d powered through it all for the last two years only to be told it hadn’t worked” explained Emily.

Emily says she copes by trying to turn negative experiences into positive thoughts and having the opportunity to do something she never thought possible was a dream come true.

Emily’s dream was to visit the Great Barrier Reef with her partner Layne so there was something positive to focus on beyond the world of cancer.

Working with Louise, one of the Dreams2Live4 nurse trained Dream Makers, Emily’s trip began to take shape and the couple travelled to North Queensland.

“It was amazing! We spent five nights in Palm Cove, and hired a car so we could explore. We went out to a pontoon in the outer reef, went to places like Fitzroy Island and Kuranda, and we just relaxed.”

Emily says the importance of having dreams to look forward to when you are experiencing advanced cancer can’t be underestimated.

‘’I found so much fulfilment in planning and preparing for our time away. Being so young with advanced cancer I felt like life was over before it has begun, and this trip showed that even with my diagnosis, I can still live.

We honestly had such a good time. I am so thankful for Dreams2Live4 for helping us bring this trip to life.’’