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My journey with breast cancer started 1993, the year I planned to reclaim my life. My children were aged 5, 7, 9, and 11 years, the youngest starting school that year. Instead 1993 was filled with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Late1994 my first recurrence appeared in the clavicle. Surgery and another course of radiotherapy followed. Mid-1995 my ovaries were ablated (destroyed) with radiotherapy which produced instant menopause.
In 1999 my partner and two youngest children moved to rural Victoria three hours from Melbourne to fulfil a life-long dream of living in the country. I opened a small business. Life was great.
Through my business, women began to visit seeking information/support in relation to living with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Recognising a need, I started a breast cancer support group, ‘Wild Orchids'. I became aware of the many issues for rural women/families and the inequality which existed. Lack of information, almost no support, and no-one had heard of Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA)! I became passionate about these issues and became a voice for rural women.
Early 2002 breast cancer appeared once again. I had bilateral mastectomies and spread was found in my right lung. (However, I was disease free for seven years passed prior to this re-diagnosis.)
First hand I experienced the difficulties related to my treatment path because I lived in a rural community. I spent six weeks in Melbourne following surgery. Separation from my family and friends was most difficult to deal with. My partner was watering crops and animals needed to be fed. It was not an option for him to be with me. I saw him only once in six weeks. My daughter took leave from school and stayed with me in Melbourne as she was unable to cope with our being apart.
Marlene Parsons and I talked of the difficulties we had endured being rural women. Together we developed Project B.R.E.A.S.T. with a grant through BCNA Community Grants. The Project is the foundation of Breast Cancer Network's present Rural/Remote Working Party.
Late 2003 I was again re-diagnosed. Bone metastases, with spinal involvement and pleural effusion in right lung. Radiotherapy treatment followed. I spent three months in Melbourne, due to treatment/complications and recovering from this ordeal. My mother lives in Melbourne, I am lucky as I have a supportive network of family and friends if I need to re-locate from home. However this is not the case for most rural women. I also knew that the services accessed which helped in my recovery (ie, palliative care and access to an oncologist) would not be available in our rural area.
Presently my breast cancer is stable.
The road has been rough. The treatments have affected my quality of life. And I have been presented with challenges but I've learnt many valuable life lessons.
Breast cancer has brought rewarding aspects to my life. The friendships and wonderful women I have met along the road truly inspire me. I'm an active member of Breast Cancer Network Australia, being a member of both the Advanced Breast Cancer and Rural Remote Working Parties. I was awarded ‘Citizen of the Year 2003' in our local community. I am Drummer/Paddler with Dragon's Abreast Bendigo team.
I have chosen to live in a rural community and I know that many issues are due to the tyranny of distance. However I believe we deserve more equality in all aspects of the breast cancer journey. I believe BCNA's Rural/Remote Working Party will be instrumental in effecting change for women and their families living in rural and remote Australia.
Judy Shepherdson, rural Victoria
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Judy Shepherdson 
