My GP sent me for a CT scan of the spine, thinking that I might have some disc problems. To our horror, the scan showed a few hot spots and a fracture to the head of the femur. My last mammogram was exactly 2 years prior. From there, my life took a complete turn. (a life changing experience that I did not asked for). Up-to-date treatments : open reduction & internal fixation NOF, radiation to NOF, 6 cycles chemotherapy, mastectomy and 15 radium treatments on the mastected breast.

ABOUT ME Was born in Malaysia with chinese parentage. Have been in Brisbane for the past 27 years. Live a normal family life with a good hubby and 2 beautiful daughters. When the girls were young, devoted all my time to being a mother and wife. As the girls grew up and left home to study in Melbourne, I worked as a administration officer in a Endoscopy Day Centre. Enjoyed every minute of working life after being a stay-home mum for 20 years. What a pity that I have to stop work now! I am a outdoor person with a love for movies, shopping, walking, travelling and enjoying FOOD.

I am a Christian and have been involved in teaching Sunday school at our church and teaching RE in a state school. During this crisis, I thank my God for being my strength and rock.

Beside Him, the love and support of my hubby and daughters gave me great comfort during these 10 months of “horribulies”(if there is such a word).

I am coming to terms with this ‘chronic illness’ and have started reclaiming back my life that was taken away from me so suddenly. Even though my physical body has slowed me down, I am glad my mind hasn’t. At times it can be frustrating that I can’t do the things I thought I could do but with determination and positive attitude, I hope to be there ONE DAY. Every day is a new day and a bonus.

Brain Met removal 2009 on the exact date (1 year anniversary) of the original Mastectomy (11/6/09). I am about to have a third brain met removal in the same place and also have spread to lung which has no current effects. I am HR2+ only and about to turn 26. Don’t assume or blame BRCA genes – none here!!

I was diagnosed when I was 23, when I was about to move up in my dream (enjoyable) career. Devastated once secondary cancer was diagnosed, as had been happy/hoping to remove the breast, have chemo and get back to work/life 6 months later. Once secondaries appeared in the July scan the devastation was mainly about my career, independence and moving back to my country town from south east Queensland for the purpose of “you know what this means, spend time with family”. I soon became very happy and understood the whole life (regardless of health and bad luck) goodness to be near my immediate family.

I handled losing my hair but missed my cleavage and gave away my now un-wearable ‘nice’ clothes – telling myself less/covering (cleavage) is more sexy and more classy …but living in a hot town it was/can be hard not to miss light singlets and not have to worry about bending forward. Wigs were also too hot – though have began for 1st time this winter to move from the patient look and hide. The little things.

Regarding sex and romances:
I was amused (probably nervousness) when thinking about and imagining dating someone, when you have to explain you are missing a breast. When do you do this? How do you say this? I became happy when I thought early on, before I knew I had secondaries, but have one breast, that my next lover would have to be a true lover. One who values my soul/ myself over a female physical body (superficial taking into account attraction factor still) and who would love me for who I truly was. Who is not obsessed with body and looks when partnering. We deserve this and to me I had to make myself feel better about mastectomy – being a tool to find TRUE love/soulmate.

Once I knew I had secondary cancer I instantly chose to be “off the market” – not wanting to break a heart with the “medical” fate of death – personal choice. Personally, I would prefer their happiness and that they fell in love with someone for life. Yes I know about car crashes…but I did laugh instead of cry (off market anyway) about the goodness of not wasting my time on potential lovers, ‘body, body, looks’ men.

It took me well over a year to get over my career dream and get used to not working. This happened after I had to permanently stop a short government contract due to the 1st brain progression in May 09 – thus making me unreliable for Employers. Also interesting is the fact of others of my generation’s (Y) lives were starting (not yet married with babies) so when I was at home everyone was/is at work. Now I stick it in their faces (as a joke) that they are still at work whilst complaining to me about their day. Quality over quantity – being a 25 year old retiree!! Now very much enjoy and value life – apart from needles of course.

I did have a sneaky mets at least a year and half after diagnosis where I was comfortable as I didn’t feel sick or in pain. I now do have good pain management but am comfortable which is great. I have my independence back (thanks mum), have gone travelling and am enjoying being a retiree in clubs, house/garden beautifying, peacefulness and my childhood loves of different creativities – which yes cost money and is why I haven’t done a lot of.. but that can make you more creative. Now comfortable not working and happily independent from family financially (thanks to great previous employers Custom Super Fund) however I certainly understand and went through financial stress and breaking living.

I cry whenever I want to too.

In Dec 2009 I attended a Gawler Foundation www.gawler.org 10 day stay which I very much enjoyed and found helpful, psychologically more than physically for myself. I have learnt how to demand and stick up for myself in hospitals when required – although very thankful to the team looking after me. However when first diagnosed I did experience timing problems of “a few weeks won’t make a difference” and could tell other stories…

On the 29th of January ’09 my world began to fall apart. After having a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy on the same day it was confirmed I had breast cancer. On taking the results to my doctor I knew immediately my hip was involved and asked her for a bone scan. On the 4th of February it was revealed I had bone metastases. My sacrum, hips, pelvis, ribs and back were involved. I required nailing of my right femur to prevent it from breaking, on the 18th February. I have 2 types of cancer. My left breast is Herceptin -ve. My right breast is hormonal dependant. I was commenced on Femara, Herceptin and Zometa. After 3 months the Femara was stopped as it was not working. A few new cancer spots on my bones was noted. I have been on chemotherapy since, and at present my cancer is being held at bay.

ABOUT ME: I am a trained nurse. I have worked the majority of my life looking after people and now people are looking after me. It’s been a roller coaster ride. I get up each day and try to do the best I can.

ABOUT MY FAMILY: I have been married for 32 years and we recently moved to Brisbane to be closer to my children. My son is 32 and my daughter 27. luckily they are adults now. I loved my work till I became sick and had to leave. I am pleased to be in Brisbane and be able to receive my ongoing treatment.

DIAGNOSIS OF SECONDARIES

After two and half years of Tamoxifen another mass in my left breast comprised of lymph nodes (18) and tumours on the liver were diagnosed. Another lumpectomy and auxilliary dissection, and insertion of a porta-cath followed. Just to make life more interesting I developed lymphoedema in my left arm! Out came the auburn wig again, but this time we had a champagne morning tea and our friends/family all had a go at tidying up the fallout.

I started on Taxotare but was unable to complete cause as again I became very toxic. Extra challenges included insulin-dependent Type 2 Diabetes and a DVT at the porta-cath site. Femarra was only successful for a short while as the liver mets continued to grow. I also developed “trigger fingers” on both hands and have had corrective surgery. Aromasen became my drug of choice but mets were recently diagnosed in my right hip and I am undergoing radium therapy for the pain which certainly has eased.

ABOUT ME

I am “glass half full/Pollyanna” person and try to enjoy life to the max. I am definitely NOT a BC survivor (as this has connotations of a battle), but a person living with Advanced Breast Cancer – like any relationship we have a good and bad days. Strange as it may seem I think I am a better person for my experience – more aware of others and Nature, more tolerant and hopefully a better person.

I am 68 years young – wife/carer, mother, mother in law, aunt, nana and soon-to-be great nana. Brian and I have been married for 48 years and are blessed with three children and six grandchildren. My family are the most important part of my life and are extremely supportive.