My story
A yoga class saved my life! Always being a bit of a fitness freak, in February 2009 I decided to take a Yoga class, something I had never tried before. A few days after the class sitting at the dining room table with my partner I was telling him how sore I was from the yoga class. Feeling along the left side of my breast I discovered a lump. I wasn't too worried thinking it was probably hormonal. I didn't think about it for probably a week but when it still hadn't gone away I thought I best get it checked. I went along to my GP who examined me and thought much the same as I had but suggested I have a mammogram.
On March 3rd I was booked in for a mammogram. My partner and I had tickets to see "Cold Play" in concert at Rod Laver Arena on the same day. I had been looking forward to it for months. I thought about changing the day for the mammogram but decided against it.
I will never forget that day. The mammogram seemed to take extraordinarily long and the next thing I knew I was having an ultrasound. The head radiographer was brought in. I knew something was wrong. Before I knew it, with the results of my scans in my hands I was on my way to the GP. Sitting in his office he delivered the news which I already knew. I had breast cancer.
I became numb, not knowing how to think or feel. This couldn't be happening to me. An appointment was made to see a breast surgeon and we left the surgery. The first inclination was to cancel going to the concert. I was in a haze of shock. But my partner talked me into going. I'm so glad I went. It was an amazing show and I will never forget it. I was not going to let this disease take over my life.
From the moment of my diagnosis control of my life was suddenly out of my hands. As a single Mum bringing up my children on my own I was used to being in control of everything. I had to be. Suddenly I was on this roller coaster ride of scans, biopsies and doctor's visits where I felt I had no control. It was happening around me. In the weeks after diagnosis I received the My Journey Kit from BCNA, it was like a gift. I started using the diary from that day on and the information provided in the kit equipped me to make the decisions I needed to make regarding treatment.
On March 25th I had a mastectomy of my left breast. The prognosis was good, no lymph nodes were involved. I breathed a sigh of relief thinking the worst was over.
Visiting the oncologist for the first time, she suggested more pathology tests that would decide whether I was to have chemotherapy or not. The cancer was HER2+ and with a strong family history it was suggested I have Chemotherapy and Herceptin.
Months of treatment followed and looking back on those months I don't really remember much except for how sick I was. It seemed bizarre. In January of that year I had been healthy and happy looking forward to a new year with a trip to Europe with my partner planned.
Chemotherapy finished. But there were still hard decisions to be made, with my strong family history I was in the high risk category for recurrence. I had to decide if I could live with the worry of the breast cancer recurring in my other breast or whether I should have a prophylactic mastectomy to reduce my risk. On the 24th November I had my second mastectomy. I decided I couldn't live with the risk.
Herceptin continued until April 2010. I have now completed my treatment including a double reconstruction and am enjoying recovering and regaining my health.
I'm no longer working. My priorities have changed. Standing on MCG for the Field of Women Live on the 7th May 2010 was an awe inspiring and incredibly moving moment. I decided that night that I wanted to do something to help other women out there who have been struck down with this terrible disease. Going back to the BCNA website to join this network I read about becoming a Community Liaison and here I am.
Breast cancer has been the worst experience of my life. But without this experience I would not have changed direction and allowed myself to follow a more rewarding and fulfilling path.
Member blog
Colour Me Fit Health & Wellbeing
Hi Everyone - it's been awhile since I last posted but here I am. 2011 has already been a big year for me and I'm happy to say a good year! In a post in December I mentioned starting a new business and it's all happening. As of this month I have a health and fitness studio where I plan to work with women like myself, living with breast cancer, to regain their fitness, strength and wellbeing.
New Life
Well it's almost 2 years on and I feel great to know that breast cancer hasn't beaten me it's just made me stronger. I now have the courage to take on a new path that i would not have considered two years ago. I have always wanted to start my own business and beginning January I will be on my way to making it happen.
So while breast cancer has probably been the worst thing that has ever happened to me it has also given me a new life. I have met some wonderful people on this journey who have changed my life, people I would not have met otherwise.
ChiBall
I've found a wonderful exercise/wellbeing program called ChiBall. It is a combination of yoga, pilates, Tai Chi, Feldenkrais and meditation using a coloured ball. The program is based on the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I've been going to classes for 3 months and it's the best hour of my week. It is such a great program for women recovering from breast cancer. I've found it's really helping me in my recovery. Has anyone else out there heard of it?
2010 Field of Women Live
Thank you to BCNA an all those involved in making the 2010 Field of Women live event happen. It was one of the most momentous experiences of my life! Would love to hear from others who were at the event.
