My journey to date
I was diagnosed with Early Breast cancer and had a Mastectomy just before Christmas 2009. I completed a round of IVF to preserve embryos in January, started Chemo in February and am due to start radio therapy in June. Our son was 14 months at the time of diagnosis and I was still breast feeding. I had no choice but to hand over a great deal of his care to others along with giving up work as a family day carer for the time being. I was also training with a swim squad and planning on competing in the open-water swims over summer. 4 weeks and 5 days after my Mastectomy I managed to swim in the Porstea 1.2 km swim and 1 1/2 weeks after that I swam in the Mt Martha Australia Day Swim. During the 1st 4 rounds of chemo I was able to mantain my training twice a week and carry out most of my day-to-day activities with friends and family cooking the bulk of our meals and cleaning the house. I even managed another open water swim at Bon Beach half-way through chemo. I am currently 5 chemo treatments down and 1 to go and things have really slowed down for me. I struggle to sleep at night due to the hot flushes which means I don't have my 'A-game' to deal with the challenges of our energetic toddler whose favourite word is no!!! I am staying at my mum and dad's which means that I can rest and Max is having a ball with his grandparents.
My diagnosis came when we were trying for our 2nd child. It was a major shock, firstly there was no history in the family, I was only 32 and I had had an ultra sound done in June and again a week before my diagnosis and they did not show any evidence of cancer. My 1st core biopsy was inconclusive and a repeat core bioposy finally confirmed what seemed impossible.
I have experienced all the emotions fear, sadness, alone, anger and determination. The more I have discovered about my condition, the more confident I feel that I will make a full recovery. I have learnt many things from my journey so far including asking for and accepting help, stressing less and enjoying life more and how valuable the love and support of friends and family is. My support Group Breast Intensions in Mornington has also been a conforting outlet where we can share stories, information and strength.
I am hoping to connect with young women with Breast Cancer through this website to discuss the concerns and issues that we commonly share.
Comments
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Hi Deanne,
I was just having a surf around this site and saw your post. Sadly, I too am a young woman with breast cancer (I was diagnosed at 28) but have now completed all of my treatment (except for Tamoxifen) and feel like I have overcome some pretty big hurdles.
Please feel free to touch base if you ever need to chat. Hope things are still well will you and that your treatment has been ok.
Take care
Meg
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Hi Deanne,
I was just having a surf around this site and saw your post. Sadly, I too am a young woman with breast cancer (I was diagnosed at 28) but have now completed all of my treatment (except for Tamoxifen) and feel like I have overcome some pretty big hurdles.
Please feel free to touch base if you ever need to chat. Hope things are still well will you and that your treatment has been ok.
Take care
Meg
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Hi Meg, I just noticed your reply to my blog (I'm not very familiar with blogging). I created a support group in Melbourne for young women with Breast Cancer. We meet once a month in a child friendly environment over morning tea. To find out when I next gathering is you can e-mail me deanne_davis77@****.au. I have since finished all of my treatment and am on zolerdex as my anti-eostrogen. Life after treatment was strange at 1st but I am moving forward and things are looking up ;-) I hope this finds you well and likewise am here if you'd like to chat.
Deanne
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