Currimundi, Qld
Diagnosed age 36
The surprising thing was that the best discoveries of my life happened as a result of breast cancer.
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Rosie Muller at India Falls Kakadu
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When I was 36, I found a small lump in my right breast. As a doctor, and having never had lumpy breasts, I knew this was bad news. I was living in Darwin but about to attend a 3 week course in Canberra. The lump was biopsied in Canberra, and the dear friend I was staying with, also a doctor, broke the news to me of my biopsy result. I was single, and knew I would need my family around me, so I flew to Queensland to be with them. It was nine months before I got back to Darwin - my life there came to a sudden grinding halt.
For me, the biggest impact of breast cancer was the likelihood that I might not be able to have children. I already had the anxiety of single women in their late 30's, wondering if it would ever happen for me. Now, the prospect of five years of treatment with Tamoxifen seemed to shut the door on that possibility. Funnily, the up-side of this was a big sense of relief that I no longer needed to hurry up and find the right guy! While I had debilitating hot flushes initially on Tamoxifen, my oncologist prescribed Efexor - an antidepressant that happens to reduce hot flushes. It was a god-send, and improved my quality of life enormously.
The surprising thing was that the best discoveries of my life happened as a result of breast cancer. The first of these was the incredible love and support I experienced, from my family and friends, acquaintances, and other breast cancer survivors. The kindness with which I was showered was absolutely overwhelming. It taught me a huge lesson. Why had I ever felt lonely before? I just hadn't realised this wonderful network was all around me. It is something that I will never forget now.
I was put in touch with the Young Women's Network - a breast cancer support group for young women on the Sunshine Coast. It was so good to meet and talk with other women my age going through a similar journey. When I returned to Darwin I joined Dragons Abreast, and have been so inspired by the beautiful, gutsy women who paddle under this banner around the country.
Being a patient for the first time taught me far better than any article or book just how important a doctor-patient relationship is. I found myself hanging on my specialists' every word, and realised the impact this communication can have on your state of mind when you are a patient. My work as a GP has completely changed for me as a result. I know firsthand the difference that a caring doctor can make, and I'm very grateful to be in this profession.
During my treatment, I learnt Buddhist meditation, and started on a whole new spiritual journey. Breast cancer and Buddhism between them have cured me of most of my small worries and anxieties. I'm now four years down the track, and while it hasn't always been easy, so many aspects of my life have changed for the better as a result of this journey. The very positive gifts that have come out of it will always be with me.
Last Updated 7 December 2007
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Rosie Muller 
