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Wonthaggi, Vic
Diagnosed age 34
"What Lies Behind Us And What Lies Before Us Are Tiny Matters Compared To What Lies Within Us!"
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Debbie Rielly competing in NZ at
the World Triathlon Championships
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These were just words before May 2003. Life couldn't get much better, 34 y.o, paramedic, with 4 y.o twin boys, in my spare time I enjoyed the sport of triathlon.
Months earlier I had discovered a lump in my breast, dismissed as fibrosis, persisting, it became the size of a malteaser and painful. If not for my astute doctor, I wouldn't have the opportunities that come with the LIFE of a survivor.
Within a week I underwent a mastectomy, lymph clearance and reconstruction. A myriad of emotions followed. Contemplating death, my family, crying myself to sleep, wondering how they would survive without me, only to be woken by angels saying, "We love you mummy!" Visitors, family, friends, work colleagues, each of them leaving a little strength, strength that I would need to beat this disease, CANCER.
Chemo followed. Imagine every cell in your body being covered by slime, this is my memory of chemotherapy. Every two weeks for the next 4 months I would be poisoned, so that I would survive. 16 weeks is a short time in a lifetime. Within a week, my hair was gone.
Meanwhile, Triathlon Australia had chosen the team to compete in NZ at the World Triathlon Championships in December. Initially declining the offer, thinking it impossible to compete in the 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run only 8 weeks after chemo. Chemo was wearing me down, the pain of training was immense but the mind was focussed. October 2nd, my last treatment, allowing 3 weeks to recover - I only had 5 weeks to train.
For every stroke of that swim, every pedal rotation and every step of the run, I had no pain, instead I felt the strength of my loved ones, I heard every word of encouragement, I saw the tears and joy on their faces and every kilometre that I covered, I left sorrow, I left pain and I left every ounce of negativity that had ever been a part of my life. As I crossed the line, I fell to the ground, as the team doctor lifted me; I knew then that I was a SURVIVOR.
Last Updated 7 December 2007
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Debbie Rielly 
