Sue's Story - Making the Breast of Life

I received so many letters, cards and flowers from friends, family and students and began to realise how much I was valued. And I was ALIVE! I had time to reflect and I had to learn to consider myself as well as everyone else that I had supported for years. The pathology report was excellent and my prognosis was too. I needed to have regular checkups for five years so I decided to turn the whole experience into a positive one. It would be a five-year plan for me!

My visit to the local breast clinic required a new mammogram and the immediate biopsy of a small lump that was found. I learned that only five percent of breast cancers are genetically inherited so I was in the other 95 percent! A few days later I was advised I had breast cancer and it was likely that I would require a mastectomy. I was sent to my GP to discuss the next step. It felt like I was in a vacuum, the normal life I had known for so long had been suspended.

My doctor was sympathetic and advised me that the treatment I required was fairly standard and he referred me to a local surgeon for advice. That visit angered me and made me aware of the need for more experienced support for country women. I was treated offhandedly and, as this surgeon only performed limited numbers of breast surgery, I decided to seek more appropriate advice. From reading I was convinced that the suggested treatment was not ‘standard’.

An internet search gave me some options and I was fortunate that Professors Owen Ung and John Boyages were able to slot me in for a visit. These experts did not rush me through the appointment and although I felt nervous, I was confident that I had found the team to perform my surgery. I also agreed to be part of a trial whereby prior to my surgery, my main lymph nodes were identified and only they would be removed, which seemed so logical. If the cancer had not reached this point (I only had one main node) then it would not have gone beyond the breast so I did not need to suffer the removal of numerous lymph nodes. The surgery went well and as radiation therapy is not available in Orange I took a term off work and stayed in Sydney.

I had never had so much free time in years. I’d raised five children and 2003 was the first year that I had no one at home. I received so many letters, cards and flowers from friends, family and students and began to realise how much I was valued. And I was ALIVE! I had time to reflect and I had to learn to consider myself as well as everyone else that I had supported for years. The pathology report was excellent and my prognosis was too. I needed to have regular checkups for five years so I decided to turn the whole experience into a positive one. It would be a five-year plan for me!

I returned to work at the end of 2003 and took my beloved HSC class to completion in 2004 and took a trip to Ireland but I appliedfor leave to study in 2005 as I had always yearned to do more postgraduate work. My other goal was to travel lots! I was excited about my second chance at life and grabbed it with both hands!My university lecturers were impressed with me - I did brilliantly. My husband and I travelled to Africa, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and China and climbed up to the Bwindi forests and literally observed the ‘gorillas in the mist’ and also scaled the Great Wall of China. I resigned my country job and applied for a Sydney job in 2006 so that I could complete my Masters in English. I was very busy, living between city and country and feeling more alive than ever.

My city job was exhilarating but I had to remember my pledge to care about myself. I was doing too much. At the mid-semester break we flew to London then sailed in the Caribbean and I decided I would retire and spend 2007 studying and travelling. I was eating well, exercising lots and my regular checkups were positive (but like Jiminy Cricket, always there to remind me).

During 2007 we began major renovations at our Orange home, travelled to Vietnam, Hong Kong and Tonga and I was asked to write a thesis with a supervisor so that I could move into a Doctorate programme. I also flew to London twice and spent time in Spain with my daughter and later travelled to France with my son. I researched and wrote madly, presented seminars at universities, walked a lot and felt high on life.

I recently graduated with a Master of Arts (English with Merit) and am working towards a doctorate. I have fulfilled another wish, to present workshops at university for gifted and talented children and I enjoy every morning, every friendship, every family member so much more because I am a breast cancer survivor.I make a daily effort to brighten the lives of all that I meet. There are so many who are glad that I am a survivor and the past five years have been glorious. I have made the breast of life!