Home Jodie Stewart

Jodie Stewart

Berwick, VIC Diagnosed age 33 The support from other breast cancer survivors where invaluable when I was making decisions.  Jodie at Mt Buller At the age of 33 I was diagnosed with Breast cancer. Upon finding a small lump, I took myself to the doctors to have it checked and that is when the rollercoaster began. After getting over the initial shock and the, ‘how come me because I don't smoke, drink, there's no family history, I had my children young and breast feed them, and I'm fit and healthy'. I armed myself with as much information I could find and then made my decisions. I had a mastectomy with a sentinel node biopsy followed by six months of chemo. The support from other breast cancer survivors where invaluable when I was making decisions. During my six months of chemo I worked as a kindergarten teacher on the days I felt good and lay on the couch the days I didn't. Working helped the weeks to go quicker and gave me some normality in my life. On my last chemo treatment I had the car packed with the kids and my husband and we left from the hospital car park bound for a family holiday in Queensland. On my first visit to the oncologist after finishing Chemo and I was told about a new wonder drug, ‘Herceptin'. I left this appointment very excited about the new drug but very low because of the cost of the treatment. After investigation into the drug and a juggle of finances I began a year long treatment of self funded Herceptin (or better known as Liquid gold, according to my husband). The treatment went well with no side effects besides on the first day when I came out to find a parking ticket on my car and then drove 5km up the road and had a head on car accident, otherwise all went well. I recovered quickly from my chemo completing a half marathon a year later. It has now been 2 ½ years since my diagnosis. I have just recently had a breast reconstruction. I have also begun to ovulate again, after being told I was in permanent menopause, the ovaries have kicked back in. My positive attitude and determination along with family support got me through something I never imagined would happen to me. Last Updated 7 December 2007