Becoming Rock
In July 2023, I was diagnosed with pre-invasive breast cancer (Ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS). This diagnosis led to a left breast Magseed guided wide local excision – breast surgery to remove the affected area – followed by two further re-excisions of the margins necessary because a biopsy showed DCIS cells were present in a wider area of tissue. Finally, as cancer cells were still present, a fourth surgery – a mastectomy plus sentinel lymph node biopsy with immediate pre-pectoral implant plus breast reconstruction – was necessary and took place on 5th December.
Throughout – in a body of work entitled Becoming Rock – I used photography, film, and drawing to document my experience and emplaced (and photographed) my body in various landscape sites chosen for their physical, psychological and metaphorical resonance. An area of carboniferous limestone (rock formed of calcium) with its huge weather-worn boulders, fissured limestone pavements, and vast gouged-out quarries has been particularly significant.
This rock type became charged because it was a mammogram of my breast scan showing areas of ‘calcification’ that first raised concerns and led to a series of biopsies and the cancer diagnosis.
The images in are divided into five section - from the pre-operative diagnosis period through to each of the four surgeries - curated to give a snapshot of my medical journey and my use of scenography as a creative tool applied in response to a ‘real’ and unfolding life-event.
The photos were taken using a mobile phone camera which was easy and unobtrusive to use in a range of places and situations including in hospital and clinical spaces. Wanting to get my work out in real time I posted my photos over the entire period of from diagnosis to surgery, and beyond.
Pre-Operative Diagnosis & Biopsies
Bilateral Mammogram, Ultrasound: 19 June 2023. Showing microcalcifications.
Stereotactic biopsy: 28 June 2023. Scattered macrocalcification 11/12 o’clock position on left breast & flat epithelial atypia (FEA) B3 (equivocal).
7G Vacuum Assisted Biopsy (VAB): 28 July 2024. Left breast incidental calcifications 11/12 o’clock position measuring 12mm with 7-gauge VAB showing low & intermediate grade DCIS.
Pre-Operative Diagnosis & Biopsies
Bilateral Mammogram, Ultrasound: 19 June 2023. Showing microcalcifications.
Stereotactic biopsy: 28 June 2023. Scattered macrocalcification 11/12 o’clock position on left breast & flat epithelial atypia (FEA) B3 (equivocal).
7G Vacuum Assisted Biopsy (VAB): 28 July 2024. Left breast incidental calcifications 11/12 o’clock position measuring 12mm with 7-gauge VAB showing low & intermediate grade DCIS.
Surgery 1: 29 August 2023
Left breast magseed guided excision.
Post-operative histology: 27mm intermediate & low-grade DCIS contained in medial shave & 0.6mm from new margin.
Surgery 1: 29 August 2023
Left breast magseed guided excision.
Post-operative histology: 27mm intermediate & low-grade DCIS contained in medial shave & 0.6mm from new margin.
Surgery 2: 21 September 2023
Re-excision of margins from left breast.
Post-operative histology: low grade DCIS measuring 15mm & 0.5mm from new margin.
Surgery 2: 21 September 2023
Re-excision of margins from left breast.
Post-operative histology: low grade DCIS measuring 15mm & 0.5mm from new margin.
Surgery 3: 17 October 2023
Re-excision of medial margin from left breast.
Surgery 3: 17 October 2023
Re-excision of medial margin from left breast.
Surgery 4 (mastectomy): 5 December 2023
Left nipple sparing mastectomy plus sentinel lymph node biopsy
with immediate pre-pectoral implant plus ABM reconstruction.
Surgery 4 (mastectomy): 5 December 2023
Left nipple sparing mastectomy plus sentinel lymph node biopsy
with immediate pre-pectoral implant plus ABM reconstruction.
Body-Land Images
Jitravský, Czech Republic
Path by Church
Path by Church
