I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2004 after finding a lump in my left breast a week before turning 51. Just six weeks after diagnosis I was invited to participate in BreastScreen South Australia, a free mammogram screening program, so I believe if I had not found the lump myself I would have been diagnosed at BreastScreen. I cannot advocate strongly enough to everyone I meet, about the importance of breast screening.
I had a lumpectomy, axillary clearance, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, five years of Tamoxifen and now on five year course of Femara, so I believe my odds are pretty good of surviving this disease. I certainly have the positive attitude required anyway and I am so pleased I live in these times.
I went very public about my disease and as I live in a small town of 1000 everyone rallied around to support me, as they did Tania (pictured to the left), and since then every fundraising event we have held and every public appearance we make is well supported and encouraged.
In October 2005 I held a Pink Ribbon breakfast at my home and was overwhelmed with the response, my garden was full of wonderful generous people who enjoyed the perfect spring morning overlooking the marina eating bacon & eggs, muffins cooked by my friend and work colleagues and drinking coffee and tea. A couple of years later we held a Mini-Field of Women and breakfast in the RSL hall which raised much awareness and funds.
In 2005 I attended my first BCNA forum in Adelaide and have since been to Sydney in 2006 and Melbourne in 2009. In 2009 I decided that that there was much I could learn from BCNA and I knew that I wanted to be more involved when I ceased working full time.
I was guest speaker at the Wudinna Sports club in 2006 where I talked about my breast cancer journey. Since then, I have been keen to seek training for such engagements and was delighted to be asked to attend the Community Liaison Training in Melbourne in 2010 to improve my skills and boost my confidence. Through this I have had great support from BCNA and this gives me a great boost of confidence to continue the important work of supporting women in my local community and fundraising for BCNA and Cancer Council South Australia.
I was very privileged to attend Field of Women LIVE at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2010 with my very supportive and caring, loving husband and friends. I found this as a very powerful means of exposure to the general public.
At a local level I have become known as the 'Pink Lady' after having a feature in the Port Lincoln Times with pink photo on the front page and also with Cleve Community Liaison, Moira Hiern's encouragement photos in the Eyre Penisula Tribune. Tania and her band of supporters are planning a 'Pink High Tea' on October with a mini-field of Women which will be huge, so I look forward to being involved in that as much as I can. We are planning a trip to the UK in September/October this year, so I should get home, just in time to attend the event.
--Karyn
