What were the symptoms that led to be diagnosed?
Just over 4 years ago (Dec 2016), I found a lump and I thought I should get looked at. I was really not worried about it, as my thoughts were that it was nothing sinister. My GP suggested I get a mammogram and an ultrasound. A week later, I have the mammogram but nothing could be seen as I had very dense breast tissue. I then had an ultrasound and they found a few other lumps they wanted investigated further. The same day, I had to rush and get another referral for further investigation as they needed to do needle biopsies so that they could remove cells, that they had found and were concerned about.
It was an intense day as I knew something was of serious concern. They advised me that my doctor would call me with the results of the biopsies taken. A week later I received a call at work asking me to come into the surgery as soon as possible. The doctor advised me that they had found cancer in my breast and referred me to an Oncologist the next day. This was a very hard and lonely time as I dealt with this all on my own as I did not want to worry my kids and they were also very young.
I will never forget going home knowing I had just been told I had cancer – but I had to be jolly and show nothing was wrong.
What was your experience of treatment?
The next day, at my first oncologist appointment, my breast was examined and the report of the biopsies taken was reviewed. We discussed what course of treatment would be needed and what were my thoughts were and on what I wanted to do. It was such a blur to be honest, taking all this in and how my life had changed. I was advised that they recommended I have a mastectomy as my breast tissue was very dense. I decided that I wanted a double mastectomy as I did not want to go through this again. My oncologist agreed that was the best approach. I then had an appointment with the Breast surgeon and we discussed implants, size and type.
A week later, the day before my surgery, I had to have blue dye and radioactive fluid injected into my breast so that they could map which nodes needed removing. On the day of the surgery, I had my double mastectomy, where they removed all breast tissue, and muscle around the breast, they removed 3 Lymph nodes. I then had an immediate breast reconstruction. The breast tissue and lymph nodes were sent for biopsies to check the stage of cancer I had. A couple of days later I was advised they found another mass of cancer in my breast and they removed three lumps that were stage 1 and stage 2. I was well looked after when I was in hospital and was assigned a breast nurse who looked after me and was there for any concerns that I had.
Two months later, I had to have one implant removed and a new one fitted as the original implant started moving into my armpit. They removed it and stitched up the side of my implant so that it would not move.
In the first two years, I had regular 6 monthly and ultrasounds to check fluid retention. I now go for yearly check-ups.
What have you learnt from your experience?
Check your breasts, always have an ultrasound on your breasts as my mammogram did not find anything. If there is any concern about your breasts i.e. lump or change in size….go and see the doctor. Thinking back now, I waited to see the doctor as I really did not think I would get cancer, but I was so wrong. This was a very scary lonely time in my life. I was a single mother with two kids and no family here in Australia.
Live your life and be happy! Have no stress – I feel my journey was brought on by stress. Exercise and keep exercising. Eat healthy, reduce sugar and reduce alcohol.
Yes we do need to live but think about what you are putting inside your body.
Always be there for others and listen. Everyone has a journey and help in any way you can. Just be you.
