Other Pages

Stacey C

My name is Stacey from gorgeous, sunny Queensland. At the very young age of 28 I was diagnosed with breast cancer despite absolutely no

family history of the disease. At the time of my diagnosis, our two children were just 3 years old and 5 weeks old. Before breast cancer struck, our little Charbachi family was comfortable and happy; the new arrival of our little boy Sam kept us very busy.

A little while before Sam was born I noticed a fairly sizable lump in my right breast however being pregnant, I wasn’t too concerned, putting it down to milk ducts or similar hormonal changes. A few weeks after Sam was born, the lump was still there and seemed to be growing in size. Still not overly concerned I made an appointment to see my GP anyway.

I had an ultra sound, a mammogram, followed by a needle biopsy all in one day! Without going in to too much detail, you can imagine my surprise when later that evening the doctors informed me “Stacey, you have breast cancer”. This hellish day turned our world upside down to say the least, I felt cocooned in disbelief; shocked at what I was hearing. I was confused and the situation was very surreal. How could this be! I was a fit, healthy young mum, this just wasn’t right!

The news of my illness soon filtered down through my family and friends who started praying for me immediately. This was not good news; my husband and I were both a complete mess! I have to tell you that my biggest fear was not death itself, although that frightened me, my greatest fear was leaving my children, I couldn’t bear the thought of this, I was living a nightmare.

Over the next little while I did my best to brace myself for what would be a long and difficult journey. All the while I prayed desperately to come through it and live a healthy, long life with my children. “Please God don’t take me from then so young!” was my desperate plea.

As time went on I endured a mastectomy, chemo therapy, radiation and herceptin treatment. The physical and emotional effects that cancer treatment had on me and my family are to extensive to mention in this short space however if you would like to read about my journey you can grab my book “Climbing Mountains” via the link or at any good bookstore (just ask if it’s not in stock)

Yes that’s right; I have written a book all about it! Cancer was definitely the toughest mountain I have ever had to climb. As I journeyed through illness I wrote about the experience which helped me to offload my deepest emotions. By writing my story I hoped also to offer some hope and encouragement to other very young women who often feel so alone. The feedback I have received from readers has been overwhelming. I am so blessed to have been able to somehow help others as they too climb a mountain of their own.

Three years on from my breast cancer diagnosis I am truly blessed to be healthy and happy, enjoying both sunshine and rain! Cancer has certainly given me “new eyes” for seeing the world and people. I value the life I have so much more. It is still my prayer that my health continues, to enjoy the many blessings God has given me including the daily warm embraces of my two precious children.

If you are climbing your own mountain, I wish you the very best. Whether it is breast cancer or another tough situation, may you find strength and hope along the way.