I was diagnosed ER+ (Estrogen Receptor-positive) stage three breast cancer in 2017. I had chemotherapy, double mastectomy (chose to go flat) and Aux clearance (axillary clearance) and ongoing hormone treatment.

In 2021, I had a recurrence in my lymph node, then Aux clearance, radiation and ongoing monitoring.

In May 2025, they found a lump in a lymph node in my neck. Pathology found my cancer had mutated, and is now TNBC (triple negative breast cancer). I had surgery to remove the node and started oral chemo. Then a scan in Aug 2025 showed three new lymph nodes as positive and I was diagnosed as having stage 4 TNBC.

Ebony is sitting in the hospital. She has a port in her chest

As we know, the stats for TNBC are not great. Fortunately for me, my individual cancer was sequenced, and they have found a number of different mutations which has opened up other treatment options, such as immunotherapy. Although my cancer is not curable, I still have hope to live well for years. There are new and exciting options and trials in this space.

What I want people to know is how important hope is, and how research and medical science are ever-evolving. Also, how much the right supports help.

Ebony is standing with her friends. They are all smiling

I am a regular user of BCNA’s Online Network support service, I attend the Thursday Girls weekly support group for metastatic breast cancer. I have also utilised cancer counselling financial advisory services and nursing services, and am linking in with Canteen for support for my kids. This is as well as the fabulous supports from my oncologist, specialist, breast cancer nurses, psychologist and GP.

This is a tough journey, which I wish we were never on, but there is still a lot of joy in my life. Finding compassion for myself in the hard times, relishing what I am grateful for, and working towards acceptance of what I can’t change is hard, but with hope and the right supports it is possible (most of the time).

Ebony and her husband smile for the camera

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