I would like to post about my story, how BCNA helped me, and how I try to give back some of the wonderful support I received.
Despite regular mammograms and ultrasounds, I found my lump in the shower last year. It was a large fast-growing mass, and a core biopsy showed high grade malignancy, suspicious for lymph invasion. My GP immediately referred me to a breast surgeon, and said to walk there now, and hand the referral in personally. I did, feeling as though I had been hit by a train.
After the longest Easter break ever, I saw the surgeon. Because there was some family history, we decided on a bilateral mastectomy to take place 4 days later.
This when I first went to the BCNA website, and the women there inspired me with their strength and their courage. They responded with so much support and advice I will forever be grateful.
I was being strong for my 4 sons, all grown, but who always thought I was immortal, and for my husband, who is a positive-thinker and always my rock in any storm. We both took a very positive approach from Day 1 – it is what it is so let’s deal with it!
My tumour was 3.5cm with no node involvement and clear margins. But it was Triple Negative and Metaplastic – a nasty little bug. My surgeon referred me to my Medical Oncologist, who started chemo 3 weeks later, first implanting a portacath for the 12 weekly infusions. The time passed very fast and apart from a few aches and the expected fatigue, I came through well. It was decided to do 28 radiation treatments, and then a hysterectomy. It all flowed from one thing to another with impressive efficiency, and suddenly it was all done. I will be forever grateful for my multi-disciplinary team here at Premion Place on the Gold Coast. They were absolutely wonderful.
Throughout the whole journey I was in contact with my pink sisters on BCNA, and their unfailing support was the glue that held the whole thing together. Since then I have regularly contacted newbies to the site, who were as frightened of the unknown as I was before them. Together we have all become more informed, held each other’s hands over rough spots, and spread love and support wherever it was needed. Words could not explain how much the site has meant to me, and still does.
Happy Christmas everyone – we are still here and we are still fighting – love to you all,
Michelle xxx
