Our story; I can’t call it my story. It’s not my story, it’s my beautiful Nanna’s, it’s my beautiful mother’s and it’s mine. It’s our story.
 
I need to write our story; we need to write our story. We have a gorgeous baby girl who is currently 2. We need her to know the history, we need her to be protected and we need her to be educated.

It begins with Nanna. Nanna was frightened and knew for some time that she had a lump in her left breast. It wasn’t until Nanna found the bravery to confide in her daughter, my mother. The fateful day came with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Nanna’s breast cancer by now was the size of an egg.  Nanna had a mastectomy and was not given any other treatment. After 18mths Nanna began to have dizzy spells. A tragic event we all recall is when Nanna lost her balance falling over at the letter box, she bravely crawled into the house and there she waited for her husband, our Papa to return from work. (In those early days they did not have the phone connected) Following these events Mum took her again to the doctor. Again the diagnosis was misleading sending her home with medication to treat Parkinson’s. With the family not feeling comfortable with this diagnosis Nanna was again back to the doctor. X-rays were taken and a heartbreaking diagnosis of an inoperable brain tumour.  Nanna was sent to Adelaide to have Radiotherapy. Living in the country meant Nanna was to be away from all of her immediate family. Papa stayed at home to work.

This was very difficult for Papa he had never been without Nanna and really struggled. When Nanna finished Radiotherapy, Nanna returned only to be admitted straight to hospital where she stayed for 7days and Nanna lost her fight at the age of 54. The education for screening then was not as extensive as it is today or we might still have our Nanna/Mother.

After years of mammograms and self examinations, my mother was diagnosed at the age of 48 (2002). Mum always underwent her regular mammograms.  Mum was referred immediately to the Breast Screen S.A. rooms. Mum endured a 12hr day having more Mammograms, Ultra Sounds and Needle Biopsies. Eventually she was given the results that she had 3 lumps (these 3 small lumps in her right breast could not be felt with her hand or the specialist’s hands). Initially a lumpectomy was performed however once the lump was tested within hours mum was returned to theatre to have a full mastectomy.  Mum didn’t have to endure Chemotherapy as all of the lymph glands were removed and they were free from any cancer.  Mum was instructed to take Lipitor.

Mum decided to have her breast reconstructed using fat and muscle from her stomach.  This was an enormous operation and although mum is a good healer, she has trouble with the fluid that builds up to help with the healing process. Mum had to have drains inserted for a lot longer than usual.  Once the drains were removed she endured lots of needle aspirations.  Again like Nanna living in the Country meant back and forward to Adelaide time and time again. After 12 months her plastic surgeon found internally a huge fluid sack (not sure what the medical term is for this) once this was removed it made things a lot easier.

Mum took the Lipitor for 3yrs (2005). After experiencing excessive bleeding and again lots of tests the tragic day again came that she was given the diagnosis of cancer in her fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix. Mum then had to have Radical Hysterectomy which was followed by 6 months of Chemotherapy.

When Mum completed Chemotherapy her oncologist sent her to the Familial Cancer Clinic. Strangely Mum does not have the BRCA Gene. The Familial Cancer Clinic advised Mum her risk was high of getting breast cancer in her remaining breast.  Mum returned to her plastic surgeon to finalise another mastectomy and reconstruction.  This time she was required to have an implant, which she did. Again she had do have the drains in for an extra length of time so more trips back and forth to Adelaide.

It is now 5yrs since Mum underwent Chemotherapy and has been 5 years cancer free! You Beauty; Yippee!
My own story begun when I lost my Nanna. I knew from a very young age the risk of both my mum and I contracting Breast Cancer was very real and very high. I’ve known for many years that I too would undergo a double mastectomy, reconstruction and hysterectomy.

I have spoken with the Genetic Counsellors however unlike most we are not carries of the BRCA 1 or 2 Gene. I have come to learn as my mum has no genetic ‘mutation’ I will not be tested because I also would not carry any genetic mutation. Some would say this is supposed to be good news however trying to process and understand then how my Nanna and my mum having both had cancer with no genetic mutation is frustrating. It would be easier for me to have something to point my finger at and say see this is what caused it. I hope that someday more testing will be available.

I’ve chosen to wait to undergo my surgery, until I have finished my family. I currently have Georgia and would like to have a 2nd child in the near future. However the decision to wait is a frightening path. I do undertake 12 monthly mammograms and ultrasounds however every day I shower, every day I dress and every day I live in fear of finding a lump.