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In March 2009 a random mammogram saved my life. Shortly after I turned 40, my Mother suggested that I go for a mammogram. There was no family history (I have 12 Aunts) no lump, no high risk factors and really, no reason at all. I told her that the age in Australia for screening is 50 and subsequently did nothing about it. Eighteen months later, and, as I regularly drove past a Breastscreen clinic, I decided to call in. An appointment was set. Five days later I received the dreaded phone call to come to hospital for a day and have tests done. I left the hospital in a mess and bawling, having been told that I had breast cancer and drove myself home (when you get told to bring a support person, there’s a reason). Over and over I kept playing Karen Carpenter’s song, “I’m on the Top of the World”. Now there’s a sign that things are not good. |
The reconstruction process has brought about a sense of closure and although I've still got some finishing touches to complete, I am feeling kind of normal again. |
My first thoughts… “That’s it – I’m going to die”. It was ten days of pure hell. I resented doing any mundane chores (even more than normal) and didn’t really want to have anything to do with the demands of my family. I turned selfish and didn’t like who I’d become. I kept thinking about what I missed out on in my life and why should I have to think about anybody else as I’m going to die soon anyway. Ten days later I read a book about a famous cyclist and things took a massive positive turn. I thought “if he can do it, so can I”. On that same day, my gorgeous 7 year old Son gave me my work diary with stickers of flowers and ‘I love you’ all over it. I stared in horror at my diary. No one touched my work diary and now it had stickers all over it. I stared a bit longer and then it all clicked. This is how to harness the power of Love. Something in me changed and it was all going to be okay.
A week later I was in for a lumpectomy RHS and a week after that another procedure to ensure safe margins. Five weeks of Radiation followed – every night after work – what a grind. But it was during this time that I started exercising with a group in my local park. I got fit, lost some excess and felt strong and in control again –exercise became my saviour.
Along comes 2012 and another suspicious lump – this time in the other breast. Another lumpectomy and me asking for this nightmare to be over. I wanted to get rid of these killer boobs and asked to have them both cut off. I was told that I’m young fit and healthy and that it is not a good option right now.
April 2013 –Guess what? It’s back!!! In the original breast. Mastectomy was my only option but, again, they wouldn’t take both. So I endured 3 months of Chemo (this is where the training from exercise really helped). I continued to work every day and got through.
Sept 2014 – Prophylactic skin sparing mastectomy on LHS (finally) and in November 2014 my Delayed Lat Dorsi reconstruction RHS with bilateral expanders. Exchange surgery was on 27 April 2015. It’s been a long and scary road but I feel like I’m out the other side. Having new fake boobs (foobs) is GOOD for me. I’m not going to say it was easy, either mentally or physically, but I didn’t want the fear of Breast Cancer beating me.
The reconstruction process has brought about a sense of closure and although I've still got some finishing touches to complete, I am feeling kind of normal again.
A week later I was in for a lumpectomy RHS and a week after that another procedure to ensure safe margins. Five weeks of Radiation followed – every night after work – what a grind. But it was during this time that I started exercising with a group in my local park. I got fit, lost some excess and felt strong and in control again –exercise became my saviour.
Along comes 2012 and another suspicious lump – this time in the other breast. Another lumpectomy and me asking for this nightmare to be over. I wanted to get rid of these killer boobs and asked to have them both cut off. I was told that I’m young fit and healthy and that it is not a good option right now.
April 2013 –Guess what? It’s back!!! In the original breast. Mastectomy was my only option but, again, they wouldn’t take both. So I endured 3 months of Chemo (this is where the training from exercise really helped). I continued to work every day and got through.
Sept 2014 – Prophylactic skin sparing mastectomy on LHS (finally) and in November 2014 my Delayed Lat Dorsi reconstruction RHS with bilateral expanders. Exchange surgery was on 27 April 2015. It’s been a long and scary road but I feel like I’m out the other side. Having new fake boobs (foobs) is GOOD for me. I’m not going to say it was easy, either mentally or physically, but I didn’t want the fear of Breast Cancer beating me.
The reconstruction process has brought about a sense of closure and although I've still got some finishing touches to complete, I am feeling kind of normal again.
"I was told after latissimus dorsi reconstruction that I would never do push ups again ...I'm kinda proud of myself" |
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"Weight training is key!!! Strengthens bones, burns fat for ages, makes daily chores easier and the list goes on....being strong makes us feel strong!!" |
