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Life after Breast Cancer
Wherever possible we like to include
feedback from women who have experienced breast cancer and
their families. Sometimes their feedback will be inconsistent
with current medical practice. Where this is the case, we
provide a link to the relevant information on the Breasthealthlink
website, so you can access the current medical view supported
by leading Cancer organisations. Ed.
The re-evaluation of my life was my greatest
success.
At 38 after an initial cancer diagnosis and a recurrence
4 years later, Diane does not waste time on irrelevant issues
and makes sure that I have some time for herself.
My favourite motto is "we work to live, not live to
work". I have learnt to slow down and say 'no'. Life
goes on and no one is indispensable!
Earlier this year, prior to my recurrence, a friend of mine
had an ovarian cancer scare and afterwards she said to me:
"I never could understand your attitude to life. Now
I do, and I am going to take more time out for myself."
She has since taken a long overdue holiday, has plans to buy
a new car, takes time out for herself and is making sure that
she takes an annual holiday.
Events like this sort out your true friends from the 'not-so-true'.
I think I am very privileged to have so many wonderful friends.
They have all learnt a lot from my experience too and I have
learnt a lot from them. It is great to see my female friends
all choosing to have mammograms and check ups. I am open to
questions and happy to discuss my experience and everyone
feels at ease as a result.
I am single and happy to be so! I have a special male friend,
and I believe this has brought us closer together, he too
has experienced some personal issues this year and we have
bounced off each other. It is very important not to become
so immersed in the whole process that you forget about what
else is going on.
I have tried to be there for my friends too, it can be a
relief to have other distractions in your life. I believe
that every day is special and enjoy it to the max. At the
moment this is a little slower than normal, due to chemo recovery
time, but there's something great to be enjoyed in everything
we do.
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In lots of ways my battle with cancer has
made me a better person.
Sharyn Haryn Boyd-May - Aged 30
Sharyn is now aged 36 and still battling. She is able to
find something good in every day.
"As a teenager and in my twenties I had often said "Oh!
I'd like to do that one day" or "I'd love to go
there one day". Having cancer made me realise that "one
day" may be too late. That I should go out and do things
and see things NOW whilst I was able. Cancer has taught me
to LIVE my life, not just exist. So I can now proudly say
that during my battle with cancer I have made the time to;
Bungy Jump, Tandem Skydive, Abseil, Rock Climb, Climb the
Sydney Harbour Bridge, go for a Hot air balloon ride, swim
with Dolphins, travel to the USA, build a beautiful new home,
organise a High School 20 year Reunion and spend numerous
precious moments with family and friends.
I was always someone who kept her feelings well hidden. I
was uncomfortable telling people how I felt about them - even
family members. But not anymore. Now I make sure that my friends
and family know how special they are to me. I make a point
of telling my wonderful husband just how much I love him.
I always find something good in each day and always, always
find a reason to smile.
Now, enough of this chat - I have a battle to win!"
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Breast Cancer gave me a chance to pursue
my passion
Jenny - Aged 49
Jenny is a single woman who had breast cancer five years
ago. She had a lumpectomy and a lymph node clearance. Further
pathology determined the margins were not clear. She had a
further more extensive lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy.
`Luckily I had a few months of unpaid sick leave on half
pay. I was able to use this to see me through the time I was
convalescing. It was only after the radiotherapy was over
that I could resume my normal activities. One of the things
I was keen to resume was my salsa dancing. While I was recuperating
I met a volunteer who was also a salsa dancer. Although I
was not yet up to dancing, she would pick me up some evenings
and I would go and watch people dance. The music and the energy
of people dancing helped me see the light at the end of the
tunnel. It gave me something to look forward to. As I have
now become a volunteer for the Breast Cancer Support Group,
I always ask someone `What is your passion?' What activity
gives you joy or peace of mind. I had to wait two years before
I could train as a volunteer.'
`In the meantime I joined a support group for breast cancer
survivors that was run at the hospital. This was a group for
both education and support. I found this experience invaluable
I felt from the moment I got my diagnosis I became a member
of an invisible club where we spoke a different language.
Being in a support group was very comforting, as I needed
to connect with other women who had gone through this experience.
Besides the emotional support, we received valuable information
and a variety of expert speakers on different topics. It was
not a wailing wall as some people think but an opportunity
to meet other courageous women and a learning environment.'
`As I approach the five year mark I am aware that it has
taken me all this time to integrate all aspects of my emotional
recovery a few months after surgery I discovered my short
term memory was impaired and I could no longer return to my
old job as an Immigration Customs Official. I had been in
my job for over 20 years so this news was a big shock to my
system. This cognitive impairment was not related to the breast
cancer but possibly a response to the anaesthetics. I had
three operations one after the other.
I also have problems with my auto immune system. I am a celiac
and have been for many years. I realised that that my current
form of income earning was not appropriate for my health.
I received a lump sum payout and decided to make some radical
changes in career and lifestyle. I moved from the city and
went down south to an area where I grew up. I bought a small
villa and thought about what I could still do - I could still
do the salsa. Although I struggled to learn new information
and had trouble retrieving data, I could still dance. I discovered
I was very good at teaching salsa, I could explain things
clearly at a simple level. This made me good with beginners.
So I had something valuable to share and decided I would become
a salsa-dancing teacher. I now teach a few classes a week.
This gives me some extra income as well as a viable social
life. Through salsa I have met interesting lively and like-minded
positive people.
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Competitive swimming motivated me back
to being fit
Shelley- Aged 41
Shelley from New Zealand chose to have a bilateral mastectomy
as she was afraid of recurrence. She also had a lymph gland
clearance. As they discovered 3 positive nodes she had to
have chemotherapy which started 6 weeks after surgery. At
the time of surgery her two children were 3 and 8 years old
so she was determined to get better.
Six months before her diagnosis Shelley had taken up Master's
swimming. She had set herself big goals for the coming year.
She wanted to increase her training and get really fit, she
wanted to compete in the New Zealand North Island Short course
championships and now it seemed she had to focus on survival.
Her swimming motivated the choice of a double mastectomy as
she did not want to look lopsided in the pool.
Two and a half weeks after surgery she got back into the
pool and started training. "I was terrified but after
1000 metres I felt exhilarated and over the next few weeks
I swam regularly. Then she had chemo. She felt horribly sick
and nauseous but once again 11 days after treatment she was
back in the pool. " I had no energy for freestyle but
I swam breast-stroke. There were moments of great pleasure
as I achieved small goals. After my chemo I felt tired and
drained but decided to resume my swimming training in earnest."
Four months after chemo Shelley was racing again. "Happiness
consumed me as I had survived chemo and was swimming faster
than before. " With the help of her swimming coach, a
great deal of motivation and a passion for swimming, Shelley
regained her strength and fitness.
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My diagnosis forced me to get more balance
in my life
Susan - Age 48
Susan had a lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy 3 weeks later.
Up until the time of my diagnosis, I lead my life at a very
hectic pace. It was go go go and I lived on adrenalin. My
Uncle who is a 75 year- old GP made me promise that I would
take regular afternoon naps. !8 months later I am still doing
that and I find it very refreshing and an opportunity to rest
body and mind.
I have also taken up yoga and meditation, both helpful in
teaching me how to relax mentally and physically. I have created
a more balanced life style and I have given myself permission
to take time out of my work schedule and do things I always
wanted to, for example a painting class. I love the creative
experience and I really look forward to my classes.
Another way in which I handled stress was writing in my
journal. This practice gave me an opportunity to absorb and
contemplate my emotions without succumbing to fear or anxiety.
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Stress reduction in itself is very healing.
Jennifer - Aged 44
She is a single Mum and has two teenage daughters. She had
a lumpectomy followed by 6 weeks of radiotherapy. Six months
later she discovered another much bigger lump in her other
breast. At that point she decided to have a bilateral mastectomy.
" I did not have reconstruction as the radiotherapy
had hardened the one breast and they could not guarantee results
in both breasts. I always had rather large breasts and I feel
quite liberated by my flat chest.
As I am an aromatherapist I decided to use a number of complementary
Therapies in the healing process. These included fresh vegetable
juices, Chinese herbs, reiki and aromatherapy oils. I also
went to see Petrea King who helped me handle stress in many
ways. She encouraged me to find out as much as I could about
my diagnosis and treatment and to be active in making decisions
about what was done to me and when.
Petrea runs a healing centre called Quest for Life In Bundanoon.
Women come from all over Australia to take her residential
programs which use a combination of relaxation, visualisation
and meditation techniques. She also teaches women how to trust
and use their intuition, how to manage pain, dietary advice
and the spiritual aspects of healing. She also teaches practical
strategies for increasing health.
Petrea helped me enormously and I encourage any woman who
is face with a diagnosis to go to one of her programs. Phone
02 4883 6599
Email info@questforlife.com.au
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The positive outcomes are more of a surprise
than the cancer itself
Doreen had both chemo and radiotherapy after vascular spread
was diagnosed.
I returned to work having taken only these few weeks off,
It wasn't until a few months later that I really felt the
anguish and emotional turmoil from what had happened to me.
I became involved with the Encore group and talking to women
who had been through the same experience was wonderful. A
few months later I was given the opportunity to participate
in some training with the Anti-Cancer Council. Again, the
immediate friendship and warmth of others on the course was
like a balm.
I am involved in setting up a breast cancer support group
in my town now and am more surprised by the positive outcomes
of having had cancer than I am at having had cancer itself.
I've made many good friends and contacts through this experience
and have learned greater tolerance, understanding and empathy
for people. Changed my work environment and am now involved
in a maternity area, seeing the joy of new life, a joy I have
been able to experience with each new day I've been given.
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How I chose my prosthesis
Lesley had a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy.
It was February when I had a mastectomy. It was not until
after my last course of chemotherapy in late May that I decided
to buy a prosthesis. It was winter so August seemed a good
time to address my self image. I was small breasted and did’t
feel the need to wear one sooner.
The scar had healed well and my hair was beginning to grow
back and I guess I felt like facing the world again!
I went off to the Strand Arcade the shop called Jayem where
they specialise in fitting you with a prosthesis and bra.
The women are warm and caring and make you feel comfortable.
I also went to David Jones Elizabeth St where the women are
also the same. In both shops they have special fitting rooms
where you can sit and be shown all the latest garments, gadgets
and "boobs". All the women attending to you have
had training in this specialised area. It is a real industry!
I went with two friends and they were allowed to go through
the whole process with me. It was important to have them with
me, to make me feel normal.
I was not all that happy with the mastectomy bras so I chose
one from the general range at DJs and took them to Jayem where
they would sew pockets in them for me. I was told that most
bras would be suitable to fit a pocket in. It made me feel
more like me
There are different prosthesis for different needs and you
should check out which one is best for you. Ones for swimming,
ones that adhere to your skin, light weight ones and just
plain ordinary ones.
They are expensive so you need to choose carefully. If you
are privately insured check out with your fund how often you
can buy one and what the rebate will be. This is so important
as the health funds vary a lot. Mine is the worst and so I
am now taking up the issue with them!
Now nearly 3 years down the track I can laugh and joke about
my situation. I have two sons in their 20s and sometimes when
they are feeling low about their relationships with women,
or lack of, I will give them my "spare" boob to
snuggle up to in lieu of the "real" thing! They
were an integral part of the whole process and had been the
ones together with my husband to encourage me to have a mastectomy
after very careful consideration of the facts given us.
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I am grateful for my experience now
Marion had a lumpectomy, then a mastectomy when the results
showed more tumours.
It is now 18 months since my mastectomy. My surgeon and oncologist
are very pleased with my progress. Everyone tells me how well
I am looking, but I still lack stamina, and get very tired.
I have just retired from work, but regard this as the start
of a new life.
I am on tamoxifen and experience no side effects apart from
hot flushes.
I have taken up dragon boating with Dragons Abreast, the
team of the Breast Cancer Network of Australia. We are breast
Cancer Survivors, and we have great fun.
From having breast cancer, I have met many wonderful people.
It may sound odd, but I am grateful for this experience, and
what it has added to my life, despite the tough times I went
through. I was very lucky in the support my family and friends
gave me.
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