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Melissa

I am a 35 year old mother to 3 beautiful children 13, 10 and 8.

I was diagnosed with early Right Ductal Invasive Breast cancer at the end of August 2007 by a breast surgeon in Melbourne.
I had only start going to a breast surgeon annually on the advice of a family friend, her Mum (Aunty I) had just passed away from Ovarian cancer after having a breast cancer previously, she was wary of family histories of breast/gynae cancers.
Aunty I helped bring me up after my Mum died the day before my 11th birthday (not from cancer).
I had told my family friend that I had found out at my Nan's (my Mum's Mum) funeral that Nan had a breast cancer in her 70's and had a mastectomy.

Breast cancer Diagnosis at 33 years old was a total shock, my first thought was "oh my god, I'm going to die young just like Mum & leave my kids shattered like I was".

I was diagnosed on a Friday and I opted to have a full right mastectomy and full node clearance with tissue expander reconstruction.
I had that operation at a private hospital in Melbourne on the Monday afternoon, I had said to my husband that I couldn't stand the thought of cancer inside me, please just get it out ASAP. Thankfully the surgeon had an opening on the Monday.

The operation went well, I can't remember what grade cancer it was, how many tumours I had or how many lymph nodes were positive for cancer, I still don't want to know, and it freaks me out.

I went onto have 6 cycles of TAC chemotherapy every 3 weeks. After the 1st cycle my tissue expander became infected and had to be removed immediately at the hospital I work at as a Receptionist, I was very unwell in hospital for 2 1/2 weeks in which I was also very emotional.

Last 4 cycles of chemo was tolerable. I was also started on a trial drug when I started chemo; the trial drug was a needle in the bum every 28 days to turn my ovaries off (no periods) as my cancer had been oestrogen positive. So at 33 I was also menopausal.
I also had a genetics blood test at this time to try and find an answer to why I had cancer at 33.
My chemo finished end of January 2008, I had 8 months off work, went back to work March 2008 still wearing a wig! I slowly recuperated after Chemo but I couldn't sleep, thoughts of cancer returning consumed me.

So I consulted another Breast Surgeon for a mastectomy of my left breast, even though as he pointed out I didn't have the result of my genetics test.

I still opted to go ahead so had my left mastectomy and bilateral tissue expanders in April 2009. I got results of my genetics test back in the May and they were positive for BRCA2. I went to my Oncologist with the results; he in turn referred me to a Gynaecology Oncologist who recommended that I have my oophorectomy ASAP. I had the oophorectomy in October 2009. No more trial drug needles for me! Pathology from both operations was all clear :-).

I have had regular saline fill ups for my tissue expanders and expect to get them removed and changed to silicone implants mid this year.
At times I have felt so alone (a freak with no breast). Some people can't understand how I could have a "supposedly healthy" breast removed. Having cancer hanging over my head and sitting on my shoulder has been incredibly draining.

Since my oophorectomy I have slowly felt the strain ease thanks to the stories of other Pink Hope members going through a similar journey.
I believe they have helped me be stronger, a new life starts now.

Updated story

Well it's been a long journey...

I have had my change over to permanent implants (large C tear drop) inserted in August 2010. The operation went smoothly, I spent 5 days in hospital. I had very little pain.

I was quite shocked to undo my bandages 6 days after the operation finding I wasn't happy with the result. My implants seemed 2 different sizes one side was higher than the other and I had some loose skin underneath one breast. I went back to the hospital and met with the Surgical Registrar who operated on me with the Plastic Surgeon he wasn't exactly helpful, just said it's healing well and any complaints need to be discussed with the Plastic Surgeon who you won't be able to see for 3 months anyway.

I was quite upset about all of this but decided no point dwelling on it! I decided I would deal with it in the New Year. I believed positive thinking would be the best thing for me and it worked - no infection, out of hospital earlier than I expected (yay) and a lovely family holiday to USA coming up!

So my family & I went for 3 weeks to the USA and had a wonderful memorable break, best holiday we've had, I was very relaxed so I had a fantastic time.

I had my usual check up with my Oncologist in December which was a pass with flying colours woo hoo!! I showed my Oncologist my breasts and he understood why I was so upset so he referred me to another Plastic Surgeon at a different hospital. My Oncologist pulled some strings to get me in before Christmas so I didn't have to dwell on it over the Christmas period, he is a wonderful man.

I met with the Plastic Surgeon and he is a breath of fresh air, he has a goal of getting me to look like I did before this nightmare began. He was very professional he insisted I go back and see my original surgeon to give her the benefit of the doubt. I did go and see her in January and am not really happy with her response to fix it, she says each breast looks different as it's two different masectomies by two different surgeons.

So I am now down for a realignment with both surgeons, I think I will be going with the New Surgeon even though it's a more involved surgery. I will be waiting approximately 1-1.5 years for my surgery as it's in a public hospital. My advice to anyone else undergoing surgery is to ask alot of questions in the consultations and speak to your surgeon again about the plan so you are both on the same page before you are put under. When I am feeling down and annoyed about the whole situation of everything I have been through I count my blessings and think positive.

I attended the Pink Hope lunch in Manly last November with the other Pink Hope girls and I had a great time. I travelled all by myself from Melbourne which I was quite chuffed about, I know I am a grown woman but I never would have done that for the fact I was going to meet all the girls. I travelled by plane, train & ferry to get to Manly! I haven't had a break by myself since having my now 14 year old son.

The restaurant we met in was fantastic, great food, wine, staff, location & company. Krystal made the day so special, she made such an enormous effort for us girls I was in awe. We meet the sponsors of Pink Hope which was great and we all took home a bag full of lovely things, I felt so special.

I also felt at home with all the ladies, it was great meeting everyone, we all have so much in common. The weekend flew by way too quickly! Can't wait for the next one.

Life is now going along nicely, Kylie Minogue has just made her 5 year milestone cancer free and I hope to happily follow in her footsteps