About Breast Cancer
Personal Stories
Jan
There is life after breast cancer – I’m living proof!
In my middle years, life was full speed ahead - independent, single and loving it, enrolled in a Uni course, then I was diagnosed with breast cancer - DCIS!
The specialist said I wouldn’t need a mastectomy, a lumpectomy would be sufficient. But it wasn’t, when the pathology report came back there wasn’t a good clearance so a wider excision was recommended. But I knew that I would continue to worry about a recurrence in that breast or even the other breast. Eventually I made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy, but I was undecided about the reconstruction. In due course I decided to have a latissimus dorsi reconstruction.
It wasn’t easy, I live alone and didn’t have much social support, but I took advice from the Breast Care Nurses and while I was waiting for my surgery I enjoyed some massages and a Pamper Day provided by the BCFWA. And I got through it.
The word “patient” doesn’t really describe me so six weeks after my final surgery (I would have gone earlier if the doctors hadn’t made we wait) I went to China to teach English.
During my time in China, speaking only 20 words of Chinese language, I travelled alone, by train from Beijing to Guangzhou – the north and south of China. What an experience, all this time I hardly thought about breast cancer, the “bionic boobs”, doctors or hospitals. I’m back now, ready to tackle whatever is ahead.
Luisa Guiffre
Thirty! The prime of my life! I was settled, happily married, mother of two beautiful sons, the eldest 3 ½ years and my new addition at the time 4 ½ months old. It was the most fulfilling phase of my life. Little did I know how my life was going to take an unexpected turn! In May 1999, I discovered a lump while scratching a one off itch. Four days later, my GP told me "The results are not as good as we were expecting, you have a malignant tumour, You have Breast Cancer. These words are heard by 33 women per day. I now was one of the statistics. I was just like all of you out there, a daughter, a wife, a sister, a mum, an aunty, a cousin, a friend, a neighbour.
Within 1 week of my diagnosis I was admitted to hospital for a radical mastectomy, with removal of lymph nodes. Eventually, I chose to have a second mastectomy together with a bi-lateral reconstruction, purely for precautionary measures.
I am ever so grateful to have a second chance to life! A golden opportunity to re-evaluate life in general. I have learned not to be afraid to make drastic changes.
Therefore, personally I am proud to have the opportunity to stress the IMPORTANCE of Early Detection. If I had not gone to my GP as quickly as I did, I may not have been here today. As a result of visiting my GP immediately, my malignant tumour was still contained within the breast and had not had the time to spread further. Breast Cancer does not have to be a death sentence!
I do not want to frighten you, I want to educate each and everyone of you. Get to know your own physical appearance of your breasts. Therefore, should there be a change, you will notice. Some changes that can occur are;
A new lump or lumpiness especially if it's only in one breast.
A change in the size or shape of your breast.
A change to the nipple such as crusting, ulcer, redness or inversion.
A nipple discharge.
A change in the skin of your breast such as redness or dimpling.
An unusual pain that doesn't go away.
If you are not sure, please refer to your GP, do not stick your head in the sand! Remember, that most changes won't be breast cancer, but it's important to have them checked out!
As mothers do, we get so busy with everyday routine between children/husbands/partners etc that we tend to put ourselves last. As we are conditioned to prioritise everyone else’s needs and wants, then at the bottom of the list …there's ME! As women, we need and owe ourselves to take time out … listen to our bodies. If something doesn’t seem right, TAKE THE TIME FOR YOU, LOOK INTO IT! See a physican, do not put it off until tomorrow. Monitoring your breasts should become a normal part of your routine, and I strongly emphasise, self examination should not be something to be afraid of!
Although Breast Cancer was the most frightening experience in my life. I truly believe things do happen for a reason. I am not the person I was prior to my journey. I have grown a tremendous amount on the inside, my eyes have been opened to another dimension. I believe in the important things in life — most importantly, NOT being denied the opportunity to see my sons grow up, my true happiness, being able to give and accept unconditional love and to experience inner peace and strength.
My life is fulfilled again! I am enjoying a wonderful work environment which I find very rewarding and I am very passionate about! Knowing that I may make the smallest difference to improve the day of a lady who has been touched by breast cancer means the world to me. Then, coming home at the end of the day watching my boys run to me, with open arms and smiles from ear to ear is what the true meaning of happiness is … At the end of the day I feel I have achieved something very special…
But, there is one more item on my wish list ….
If only... if only I could make a differerence to women whatever their age or culture, to educate what to look or feel for in their breasts. Therefore, should any changes occur, give these women the Courage, to seek professional advice … Then I will know this information has potentially saved the lives of these women!
At the completion of having read briefly about my personal journey with Breast Cancer. I do not want you to feel sorry for me. I sincerely hope you feel empowered and remember a very important message. The message being... “EARLY DETECTION IS THE KEY TO SURVIVAL!"
CoralAnne Cranston
It’s January 2004
“What?! There is something there? I need a lumpectomy?”
Days later, I was told “We got it all but you are at high risk of getting breast cancer.”
“What? Well what should I do?” I asked.
I was told to do “Nothing, it may never happen”
“OK”… I believed him.
Then, a year later, I had my doubts and sure enough, on the 14th January 2005 (my 27th wedding anniversary) my worst fears had come true.
“I need a what!? Oh my God! What if I do nothing?”
“That is not an option.” my specialist said to my husband and me.
So my journey continued as I had a double mastectomy and a dorsi flap re-construction with an insertion of bilateral tissue expanders (that was stage one of two operations).
I felt as though I was functioning but not as me. I felt like a robot, just going with the flow (so to speak). I now know that’s quite a common feeling and a blessing in disguise. I was scared, unsure and saying a lot of “Whats?”, but the alternative was even worse.
After my first operation I was alive! Oh my God! How lucky am I! No chemotherapy and no radiotherapy, we had caught it in time! The decision to go ahead had saved my life and saved me from having to go through heaps more treatments.
Then my mind put me through hell - I say this to help other women going through this. For months after I couldn’t look at my body without crying and hating what I saw when I looked in the mirror. It wasn’t the surgical scars but the loss of my breasts (all the time I kept telling myself how lucky I was), but I was so embarrassed because I felt I couldn’t face the two breast support groups that I was in. Most of the ladies there were having treatment and were unsure of the unknown, yet here I was needing no chemo or radiation and wanting to yell “Yay!” But how could I feel like that when others can’t and don’t? I felt like a fraud and throughout it all I was still trying to come to terms with my new body.
I now have more lumps and bumps than before. Just under my breasts I have a bulge because my breasts are firmer and tend to hang heavier, thus making everything flop downwards toward my tummy. I also have no nipples, which I had to adapt to. I am weaker in my upper body because of my back muscles being pushed through my under arms to be re-constructed as new breasts. I also feel like a sumo wrestler - that’s how I describe myself as my upper body is (how can I explain this?) bigger and firmer and my breasts don’t end, they seem to continue under my arms. My next operation will fix this, or so I thought.
Now I had to decide if I wanted nipples with my next surgery. I didn’t know what to do as I really hadn’t seen them in the flesh (I had only seen nipple re-construction in pamphlets). So my GP arranged for me to see a lovely lady who had just had new nipples put on. She was a great help and now I knew what to do – I, personally, chose not to have a nipple reconstruction, but you may choose otherwise, it is your decision. I did discuss this with my husband to see what his thoughts might be. He was supportive and told me, it was my decision and mine only as it’s my body and I have to live with me.
Also, did you know that the nipple stays erect 24/7? Well I didn’t and I thought you might like to know that. The areola is tattooed on afterwards.
My stage 2 operation occurred in September 2005 and it didn’t work out as expected, so my doctor had to put my prosthesis into my chest wall muscles. I couldn’t believe the reconstruction using my back muscles had failed. Both were pulling back under my arms, I guess they just didn’t want to be under my breasts. This was something I never expected and neither did my doctor, thus the reason for the stage 3 operation in April 2006. Both side muscles were completely removed giving me back my ability to put my arms flat against my sides again. I can honestly say what a joy that was. Now I only needed a nip and tuck (as my doctor puts it) to tidy up a few lumps and bumps, which I will have done in July 2006.
As I still travel on this journey, I want you all to know some very important things which I am sure will help you if you travel this path with me and others. Please ask for support (the breast support groups have been my salvation). Be kind to yourself. Talk to anyone who will support and listen to your concerns (the support groups are important). If you have a bad day, have a bad day, you deserve to have a cry after all we have been through. Visit your GP - It’s a must as you can express how you feel and the GP has more time to listen to you and your concerns. And when possible laugh, after all, life is good.
I am a 50 year old woman who has been on a journey. I hope that what I have shared with you all will help you in some way. Without the help of the groups supporting me, I would not have coped at all, sharing with others and hearing their journeys makes a big difference. Always remember you are not alone, pick up the phone and talk to one of your breast cancer support team members and see what a difference this makes.
I am starting to love me and my body again (bumps, lumps and all) and I can now say I am lucky because I am a success story for the Breast Cancer Foundation of WA. I listened to what they had to say and that’s “Early detection and prevention is a must”.
Thank you for allowing me to share my personal story with you all. I hope that you will all be aware of your breasts and have regular check ups and mammograms. Breast cancer has touched many of us in many ways, but the journey I now travel is in memory of those we have lost.
The Breast Cancer Foundation of WA is all about being breast aware. Are you?
Melina Dichiera
‘Did I do something wrong? Did I eat the wrong the foods? I breast fed my son, could he get the cancer through the milk? These were some of the questions that ran through my mind and the worst thing was that I never had anyone my age to talk too.’
Being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27 is the worst blow you could get. “Have a lumpectomy,” they say. What the hell is that? Is it my fault? Did I do something wrong? Did I eat the wrong the foods? I breast fed my son. Could he get the cancer through the milk? These were some of the questions that ran through my mind and the worst thing was that I never had anyone my age to talk to. It was okay to have your parents, friends and family but I wanted someone my age that was married with children.
My worst fear was that I was going to die because when you have cancer you die. That's how I thought. I had never seen anyone with cancer, except my grandfather and he died, so I thought my number was up.
When I turned 30 I was told I had to lose my left breast because the cancer had come back. I had both breasts removed for safekeeping. The questions that came out then were, “will I look like a freak? Will my husband still love me? How will this affect my marriage?”
It was a different ball game this time round. Life was going to be tougher. That’s why I joined The Foundation, because I wanted to help the girls out who were diagnosed as young as me. I didn't want young girls thinking that life was over. I wanted them to realise that they had plenty to live for.
There were other questions like can I have another child? Can they save some eggs in case I have to have chemo? You want someone to answer these questions and you don't want to be alone.
Life can be difficult at times but you know that even being diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s not the end of the world. You still have the whole world to look forward to.
Vince Dichiera - A Man’s Perspective
“She started to cry. She said to me she felt ugly and would understand if I wanted to leave her. I told her that I loved her, and she has me for the rest of her life.”
The day I was told that Melina had breast cancer I went into shock. I didn't know what to think. Things started to go around in my head. It happened so fast that I didn't know what to do. It felt like when you are laying slabs. You pick one up and you go to put it down but your fingers get jammed in it. It hurts for a few seconds and the pain is so great that every dirty word under the sun comes out of your mouth.
All I knew is that I had to keep a straight head and keep strong for Melina. I said to myself, “why us?” Melina is so strong and healthy. We have a beautiful baby boy. I remember when she asked me to feel a lump in her breast. I felt it. So off to the doctors she went.
She came back from the doctors and said the tests came back positive. Melina's mum went with her as I was at work. The next thing, Mel’s in hospital for a lumpectomy and to have some lymph nodes removed. I didn't know what lymph nodes were. That was 1997. In 2000 Melina was back in hospital for more surgery. This time told she has to have her left breast removed.
All I remember is Melina crying. She asked me how I felt about having her breast removed? I said you have to do it to get better. Then she said she was going to remove both breasts as a precaution. She started to cry.
I said, “Stop it! As long as you are fine I don't give two hoots about your boobs. As long as you are fine!”
When she came out of hospital we were at home and I could hear her crying and I asked her why? She said to me she felt ugly and she would understand if I wanted to leave her. As a joke I said, ‘you are here. Boobs are there only for fun’ and I told her that I loved her and she has me for the rest of her life. This is why Melina is so special to me because what she had to go through. I don't think I could handle it as well as she did.
Melina is wonderful. She gave me two healthy children on top of dealing with breast cancer. Now Melina does her volunteer work. She helps other women to deal and talk about breast cancer.
As a man and husband who has experienced this issue I urge men to talk to someone. It helped me to, “always look on the bright side of life."