Sam’s Story
In 2023, I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma when my children were just one and seven years old. The shock, worry and total panic I felt when I was finally told I had cancer is something I will never forget.
Just before the Covid pandemic, I received a flyer through the post offering a free eye test at Specsavers. I had no symptoms whatsoever, but I decided to go. During the examination, they spotted what appeared to be a small ‘freckle’ at the back of my eye and referred me to Moorfields Eye Hospital for further investigation.
I was seen by Prof Sagoo, who carried out a number of tests. At that point, there were no real signs that it was ocular melanoma, so rather than immediately treating it, the plan was to monitor it closely every few months and watch for any changes in size or appearance.
For a few years, I continued with regular monitoring. It was always in the back of my mind, but there was no reason at that stage to believe it was cancer. Then, in early 2023, the scans showed that the freckle had grown and developed a blood supply. Those changes meant that the situation had changed, and I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma.
In April 2023, I had brachytherapy performed by Professor Sagoo, who has been such an important part of my journey. His incredible knowledge, experience and genuine support have been one of the most powerful tools I have had throughout this whole experience. Being diagnosed with cancer is terrifying, but having complete trust in the person treating you makes an enormous difference. I feel so, so lucky to be under his care, and I will always be incredibly grateful for the way he has supported me and the uncertainty that comes afterwards with this diagnosis.
Thankfully, the brachytherapy stopped the tumour from growing. At the time, I think I hoped that once treatment was over, life could return to normal. What I didn’t realise was that treatment was only one part of the journey.
When you’re diagnosed with cancer, there isn’t always something someone can say to make it better. What made the biggest difference to me was simply having people around me who stayed and asked about it long after treatment was complete.
My family have had to navigate this journey alongside me, and I will always be grateful for their love, patience and support. Cancer doesn’t just affect the person who receives the diagnosis – it affects everyone who loves them. I am also incredibly lucky to have had so many wonderful people around me who have listened, checked in, encouraged me and supported me, even when they couldn’t possibly understand exactly what it felt like.
Ocular melanoma is incredibly rare and because of that, most people have never heard of it. I have lost count of how many times I’ve had to explain what it is, even to health professionals when having routine doctor appointments, which is why it is so important to raise more awareness.
People can also assume that once your eye has been treated, you’re treated, almost as if you can simply draw a line under it. But the emotional side doesn’t disappear when treatment ends. The worry, the scans and the ‘what ifs’ remain for us.
Having people who understand that has meant more to me than I can put into words.
The Yorkshire 3 Peaks
This year, I wanted to turn my experience into something positive, so a group of us took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise money and awareness for Ocular Melanoma UK. Together, we raised an incredible £5,479 (!!) which I am so proud of. Our target at the start was £500!
I am genuinely still overwhelmed by the generosity and support I received from friends, family and OMUK. Every donation, message, share, word of encouragement and person who stood beside me meant so much. And the people who actually took on the challenge with me – I will never forget it.
It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. One moment that sticks out for me will always be a few hours in, after we’d completed the first peak, the heavy rain started. It rained relentlessly for hours and we were completely soaked, freezing cold and exhausted. I remember thinking, can we actually do this? Did we bite off more than we could chew? But nobody gave up, we kept each other’s spirits high, everyone gave it absolutely everything and I am so grateful to every single person who shared that experience with me. Their determination, encouragement and belief in what we were doing is something I will carry with me forever.
Ocular Melanoma UK
Ocular Melanoma UK has also been such an important part of my journey. Their support has helped me feel that I am not alone in something that can otherwise feel incredibly isolating. Being part of an online community where people understand the questions, worries and uncertainty makes such a difference. If I have a question, I know there are people who understand and can help.
The work OMUK does through Eye Patch Day, their annual conference, education, awareness and the online community is incredibly important. I’ve also recently been watching Jo Fryes’ podcasts EyeConnect, which I find so, so informative and interesting, and I encourage my family to watch them too so they can understand more about ocular melanoma and what I am experiencing.
I am incredibly grateful to OMUK, to my family, to my friends, to everyone who supported my challenge and to every person who donated.
My diagnosis changed my life in a way I never expected, but it has also shown me just how incredibly lucky I am to have the people I do around me.
My children were only little when I was diagnosed. They are still young and, although I have always tried to shield them from the parts of this that are frightening and difficult, they have been part of every step of my journey.
And then there is my husband. He has faced every high, every low, every scan, every worry and every uncertain moment right alongside me. His love, support and care have been selfless and completely unconditional. He has had to watch someone he loves go through something incredibly frightening, while carrying his own worries, and yet he has always stood beside me. I could not have navigated this without him, he is my idol.
When I look back, I realise that although a cancer diagnosis can make you feel incredibly alone, I have never truly been alone. My family, my friends, the incredible people who took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks with me, everyone who donated and supported my fundraising, the team at Ocular Melanoma UK, and the wonderful medical professionals who have cared for me have all played a part in getting me through.
For all of them and especially my husband and my children, I will always be incredibly grateful.
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