Redland Bay QLD
Diagnosed age 32
I sometimes think he found it harder than me because everyone gives the woman support, people often forget that our partners are also going through this with us - just not the physical aspect of it.
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Karen Jones with her husband and daughter
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My Breast Cancer journey started two years ago at the age of thirty-two. It was breast awareness month and I was checking my breasts in the shower when I felt a lump which I didn't think was quite right. I went to the doctor straight away and was in hospital a week later having a lumpectomy. It was such a whirlwind couple of weeks as I had just been made redundant from my job, my daughter had just had her 1st birthday and to top it all off I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had never experienced so many different emotions in such a short period of time, from happy to scared, confused and at times very much alone. I was initially shocked to know that it was breast cancer as there is no known history of it in my family and I appear to be the first. With this in the forefront of my mind, it soon became very clear to me that I knew I just had to get through this, not only for my husband, daughter and immediate family but also for myself. I had so much to live for that I wasn't going to let this disease get the better of me.
Over the next 6 months I had chemo and radiation treatment. Chemo started 5 days before Christmas but luckily I was well enough to have a lovely Christmas lunch, boy did I eat a lot that day. I lost my hair, however being summer I was able to wear some lovely hats my husband bought me, as well as some very colourful scarfs. I am not the type of person to go out and get a wig, even though I got to try some great ones on at the ‘Look Good Feel Better' program, which I can highly recommend. I finished chemo a week before my brother's wedding and was able to attend the ceremony on the Gold Coast, which was a huge achievement for me.
Those six months were the hardest of my life. At times I would wonder whether I would see my daughter grow up; be at her wedding; would I ever get to see her do her first dance class. Well I did get to see that special moment, about five months ago, which was wonderful. I felt so sorry for my husband, as his mother had gone through breast cancer only five years earlier (she is now doing great). For him to now see me going through it, must have been one of the hardest things for him. I sometimes think he found it harder than me because everyone gives the woman support, people often forget that our partners are also going through this with us - just not the physical aspect of it.
I still get anxious every time my next check-up is approaching and worry when I get any aches or pains but these are things that I hope, over time, will get easier to deal with. I have come out the other side and realise that life is very short and each day is a gift. I couldn't have got through the last two years without the love and support of my family and friends and especially my husband and daughter who gave me so much to look forward to.
Last Updated 7 December 2007
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Karen Jones 
