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Sali
"Life's challenges are not made to paralyse you; they're there to help you discover who you are.”
My name is Sali, I'm a 28 year old mother of one and I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 27.
I have undergone seven months of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and a double mastectomy and am now currently undergoing reconstruction, which will mean I need to have more surgery to complete the process. I am also currently on hormone therapy that will force me into menopause for the next 5 years ....yep menopause at age 28!
Through my journey I went through the stages of losing all of my hair and was terribly fatigued.
Whilst I caught the tumour fairly early given my age the cancer is extremely aggressive, so even after my lumpectomy and long bout of chemo, unfortunately the results of my double mastectomy confirmed that another 2 tumours were found, only this time within my blood vessel of my effected breast.
Whilst I am positive and excited about my future I can’t help thinking how this could have all is prevented if I took my lump more seriously when I first discovered it. Being young I was naive into thinking it was an older women’s disease.
If you think this sort of thing can't happen to you, think again.
One in eight Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime*.
There has never been any history of cancer (of any kind) in our family.
It happened to me and it could happen to you.
Early detection is the key to survival, so please, ensure you do a regular self examination, and if in doubt, see your doctor.
Sali's Update
I am now 3 months into my 'soft trial' for my hormone replacement therapy (menopause actually isn’t that bad - just a few hot flushes, so I am blessed to be one of the lucky ones with little side effects) - I still have my final reconstructive surgery later this year and I have just returned to work - gone are my long hours working in Recruitment, I am now studying my Certificate III & IV in personal training and fitness whilst working for a women’s gym (Curves) - and I am loving it - I motivate women to eat right, exercise regularly and also to be body aware when it comes to symptoms or uncertain feelings. The icing on the cake is that Curves is actually a sponsor of the NBCF and in October I am looking forward to their annual month of fund raising!
Life couldn’t be better at the moment and I am true to my word and myself when I honestly say that Breast Cancer for me has been a hidden blessing ~ I am my fittest and healthiest since being diagnosed and of course I appreciate life and time more than ever!
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