Gloria's Story

"Inspiration is a gift, and Gloria gives it in abundance to all she meets. Diagnosed with breast cancer in April 1993, and undergoing a whole gamut of treatment since then, she tells how blessed her life has been." Inspiration is a gift, and Gloria gives it in abundance to all she meets. Diagnosed with breast cancer in April 1993, and undergoing a whole gamut of treatment since then, she tells how blessed her life has been.

"It’s about making the best of every day!" she says. This is a life-long attitude for Gloria, which she believes has carried her through the trials in her life, like breaking her ankle the day of the first interstate track meet after the war.

She was the state representative in the 100m sprint, the relay and the shot put. "I was a possible candidate for the 1948 Olympics, but my ankle was never the same. That was a pretty hard blow, but the breast cancer beat it by a mile."

Following diagnosis, Gloria initially had a lumpectomy, then later a full mastectomy (removal of the breast) and axillary dissection (removal of the lymph glands under her arm). She was then prescribed Tamoxifen, a hormone drug, for three and a half years until it was stopped because of complications. At the time of her five-year check up she found out that her disease had spread. "I finally knew the bottom line and it hit me like an oncoming train."

"I had this recurrent dream where I was at my own funeral. It was so draining and I became really depressed. Depression was completely foreign to me. I didn’t want to sleep for fear of dreaming and I cried most of my waking hours." Finally, Gloria was treated for depression and found her real self again, and has never looked back.

A widow for ten years, Gloria has two sons and three grandchildren. "It’s been hard on them. Not only when I was sick, but also trusting that I’d recovered from depression and allowing themselves to need me and let me support them again when they needed it." Gloria recounts the time she sent one of her medals to her son studying for his PhD in Hobart. "His marriage had just ended and he felt so alone, so I sent him this medal he had always loved as a child, to carry with him and hold when he needed strength." Gloria believes that the support of family and friends is crucial to health and wellbeing. "You have to let them into your life and make sure they know you want them to stay there."

Gloria’s life is very busy. She swims, helps out with her son’s dog breeding business, is involved with a church fellowship group, and has "a real blitzer" morning tea twice a week at the shops with her neighbours. "I seldom get a day to myself."

Gloria’s last check up was in January this year. "Dr Boyages said he was amazed at how well I looked. He always makes me feel a million dollars!" she said, and goes on to say what a difference the NSW Breast Cancer Institute and its Breast Centre have made to women with breast cancer. "That’s why I’m telling my story, so that more people will support the Institute to help more women."

Asked about her plans for the future she exclaims, "I’m going to the Olympics! That’s my goal. My son got our tickets for the first day of track and field events, and I can’t wait to go." Gloria’s grandson is coming out from England to join them, and she believes her practice of positive imagery has helped this happen. "I read about positive imagery during the four years I nursed my husband at home after his second stroke. I believe it helps me set my goals and realise them." Gloria’s advice is to find something that gives you peace and purpose in life.

Her enthusiasm for all that life holds is contagious and summed up well on a card from her family following yet another surgical treatment. It read, ‘To our champion, never give up’