Network blog - friends

I leave hospital with a plastic pipe inserted into my chest wall, which drains off excess fluid into a little plastic grenade. I carry the contraption around in a handmade floral shoulder bag donated by the kind ladies at St Vincent’s hospital. The only real issue with the drain bag is that I keep forgetting it’s attached to my chest wall, so I tend to put it down and walk off, until the pain snaps me back like a toddler on the end of a psychological leash deciding, mid tantrum, that he really does need to follow mum out of the supermarket.

For those of you who are part of the Lismore Lesbian Lightning Communication Network, this may come as a surprise, but breasts have never been my thing. For those who are not in the network, bear with me as this post is about breasts.

My breasts have never looked this good before. Two rounded mounds in T-shirts, singlets and camisoles – even without a bra they are suddenly the most stunning discovery. I feel like I’m watching David Attenborough doing a special segment and breasts are the name of the game.

Last Friday someone asked "are you in remission then?" I didn't know how to answer them. Fortunately my partner was with me and changed the subject.

Then on Sunday someone else asked me the same question. I said "I am now cancer free" as my surgeon had told me he took all the cancer out and it had not spread to my lymph nodes.

Then I went to get a script filled at my chemist and the pharmacist asked me if I was in remission now? I vaguely answered yes.

After spending the 3 days at the Summit with all the inspiring women that attended, I thought this email that I received today was extremely apt.  Hope you enjoy it.

02/04/2011

Hi All,

Good evening! I and my wife are first time to join the BCNA. I hope you don’t mind if I’m going to share our family’s experience and “adventure” here “Down-Under” Australia since 2005.

Having been through my own cancer journey, when you have a friend diagnosed with the same disease you can offer so much support to them as you know exactly what they have been through. Knowing them closely also ensures that you understand how best to support them, what sort of information they need and when they need your support. You also learn a lot about yourself in this process and I am know that helping others makes you stronger. Also knowing when to be there for others and when they need their own space is also very important.

I started the process of applying for partial invalidity through my superannuation fund today.  Before breast cancer, I worked full time in a high profile government agency as a senior HR manager.  It took a lot of energy and time to complete my university degree so that I could make the leap into higher level management.