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Jess F

It all started one afternoon sitting down watching a bit of TV when I felt an itch on my left breast. I scratched and to my surprise I felt a pea sized lump. I told my partner and thought I better book an appointment to find out what it is.

I actually felt a little worried when I found it as my great grandmother had breast cancer and my step-grandmother passed away from breast cancer several years earlier.

I ended up going to the doctor about it and to cut a long story short I was booked in for an ultrasound and fine needle biopsy. I was told I shouldn't have too much to worry about as it’s usually a cyst at my age.

My results came back as inconclusive so my doctor got on to a surgeon as soon as possible to remove the lump. I had an appointment with the surgeon, he said it’s probably just a cyst but it'll be best to remove it to find out for sure.

The next week I was in the hospital for the op. It wasn't a long operation but I was still a little scared. My mum was there when I woke up and once I’d had something to eat and I was fine I could go home.

It was a few days before my 26th birthday and I got a call from my surgeons’ office requesting me to come in for an appointment. I knew then that it wasn't good news. My partner came along with me for support. I was then told that I had a Grade 3 Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (in other words Breast Cancer). Dr Palmer told me that he was shocked that it turned out to be cancer because of my age. At that point I burst out crying and said I felt as though I already knew because for a long time before I found a lump I felt as though something just was not right with me.

All I could think about was what is going to happen to me. Am I going to die or will I get to see my almost 2 year old grow up. That was the only thing on my mind "death" as anyone who had had cancer in my family had passed.

I called my mum before I even left the surgery an all I could do on the phone was cry. She came to see me to support me.

Before I knew it I was booked in for my second lot of surgery to remove a clear margin of tissue and to have a sentinel node biopsy. My friends and family came to see me in the hospital. My little boy Luka didn't want to come near me as I was still a little drugged out and had an oxygen tube in my nose so he was a little worried.

A week had passed and I had to have a follow up appointment and the margin wasn't clear. That wasn't the news I wanted to hear. So to cut a long story short again I had to have one more op and then it was clear.

But it wasn't over yet. I still had to go Away from my home for 5 weeks of radiation and go through 3 years of Hormone Therapy.

Going away for 5 weeks was the hardest part. It took its toll on all of us. My partner and little boy came with me. Aaron picked up some work while we were there which was good but my poor little Luka wasn't coping. He didn't sleep well and was so naughty while we were there. It was obviously his way of letting out his frustration of being away from home.

Fortunately I didn't get to many bad side effects from the radiation. I only got a little tired. The 5 weeks seemed to go pretty quickly. All the staff at the hospital was great and they all loved seeing Luka.
Getting home was the best feeling ever.

The Hormone Therapy isn't that great but if it's going to help prevent it coming back then I am just going to have to put up with it. It’s called Zolodex and it has made me go through menopause. The hot flushes are a pain and I sometimes find it difficult to sleep. The only good thing about it is I don't get my period at all. I spose there is always an upside.

So it’s only been 9 months since I was diagnosed and everything still feels like a blur. I'm still kind of in shock that I had cancer. But I just take everyday as it comes. I can't wait until I get to the end of the 3 years of hormone therapy so I can keep expanding my little family. That is my goal to give Luka a sibling and to stay cancer free.

Finding this Website was the best thing as I have contact with so many lovely ladies that are or have gone through a similar situation. Krystal you are and inspiration to us all and if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to share my story.

Much love to you all

Jess…
xoxoxoxoxox