‘Within two weeks of my test result'
My journey began when I was 11. Mum, at the age of 41, was diagnosed with breast cancer and 12 months later had her secondary ovarian cancer. She lost her life aged 45, in 1985. Mum's sister also died from secondary ovarian cancer eight years later.
In 1999, my sister, Julie, aged 37 and five months pregnant, was diagnosed with breast cancer. My sister had her breast removed and chemotherapy whilst pregnant; she gave birth to a healthy boy and is today very healthy. My dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer the following month. We lost dad last June. One of the most challenging things I've dealt with is losing both parents to cancer. It changes the whole family, in so many different ways. When my sister was diagnosed, she was given the option of a test for a breast cancer predisposition gene. Julie decided that she would have the test. After several years, her results came back. This meant that others in the family could be tested to see if we, too, carried the gene.
I had the test done with my brother, Gary, in 2004. We both found out two weeks later that we carried the gene. I took the news quite hard; it meant I had a very high risk of getting breast cancer. My other two sisters also have the gene.
Then, within two weeks of my test result, I found a lump in my left breast. I was breast feeding Demi (nine months) at the time, so I thought it might be mastitis. How wrong I was! Within the week, I had my breast removed followed by eight months of chemo.
After the final round of chemo, I was still feeling ill. I went to my local doctor to discover I was six weeks pregnant. I then went on to give birth to a healthy girl, Polly, who is now 17 months. So now, I have three girls: my oldest, Tess, is eight.
After Polly's birth, I haemorrhaged and had to be taken to theatre to have units of blood put back. That was very difficult to get through especially having a new baby. Then when Polly was six weeks old, I had a full hysterectomy. She came into hospital with me as I was still feeding her with my remaining breast. That operation was nightmare as I ended up with a haematoma that made me very ill.
In September last year, I had the other breast removed and both breasts reconstructed.
As I write, it's been three years since I was first diagnosed. I'm soon to go back into hospital to have the implants taken out and have the silicone put in. So I hope this is my LAST ever operation.
In 2004, I launched the Ballarat Young Women's Support Group. I attended the Melbourne Field of Women LIVE and I have never experienced anything like it. That night, I thought so much of mum and wished she had of been there to share it with us. My brother and sister both were standing on the ground with me. It was very emotional, but an amazing feeling knowing that there are so many others feeling the same.
Last updated August 2007
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