No two breast cancer journeys are exactly alike, but knowing what other women have gone through can mean we don’t feel so alone.
BCAC is proud to host a collection of stories from women who’ve had breast cancer, in which they tell of their experiences, how they felt and how they coped with treatment and diagnosis.
Read about Mandy Carter who was diagnosed with HER2 Positive breast cancer in 2007, when she was in her late thirties. Back then Herceptin wasn’t fully funded and Mandy had to pay tens of thousands of dollars for treatment. She also took a petition to Parliament asking for this vital drug to be funded.
Looking back on her breast cancer journey, Mandy says, “Breast cancer is a life changing event with no set rules, but it does makes you realise how many people care for you and love you and how you should treasure every moment with your friends, family and especially your gorgeous children.”
Or find out about Sue Walthert’s story. A GP, Sue was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 52, after a routine mammogram revealed a tumour in her breast. Sue says as a doctor she wasn’t prepared for how difficult it would be to make treatment decisions as a patient.
“Just to read the list of treatment is exhausting! To experience it is something else, my whole world has been turned upside down, and I wonder if I will ever be normal again. Whatever comes next will be a new normal and although I will soon have breasts again, they will be scarred and unfeeling reminding me of the cancer,” says Sue.
In Melissa Murphy’s story she tells how she had to learn how to accept help from others to get through her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“I am a very independent person not liking to rely on people too much. It was very frustrating that I had to totally rely on people for many things I took for granted I could do. When you are in need your friends rally around you. God has shown me that when I need help he will bring along the right people at the right time. During this time, our family here and abroad, home school family, close friends and church were fantastic strength and support.”
While Rowena Mortimer says her breast cancer diagnosis resulted in a change in lifestyle following treatment. She tries to keep as healthy as possible by watching what she eats, limiting alcohol and exercising regularly.
These are just excerpts from some of the stories BCAC has collected. We thank all those who have shared their experiences to provide support for others. We’d love to hear your story as well – please share it here.
You might also like to check out our web videos in which you can watch women and men talk about their experience of breast cancer.
