I was asymptomatic. I had my routine 2-yearly breast mammogram and was recalled for further imaging and a biopsy. They followed up a week later with a positive result. It was stage 2 luminal A (ER+, PR+, HER2-) breast cancer.

To be honest, I was optimistic at first as I was assured by the doctor that my cancer was only 6mm on all sides and that this was only a small “bump” in my life.

For my treatment, I followed my doctor’s recommendation and went ahead with:

• A lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery)
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone therapy

I had the surgery first, followed by 15 doses of radiation, then 5 years of hormone therapy. I was taking Tamoxifen initially for my hormone therapy, but it caused endometrial hyperplasia with atypical cells so I had to have a total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (removal of uterus and ovaries) in 2022. My hormone medication was then changed to Letrozole. I felt neutral about it. Changing hormone therapy due to going into surgical menopause did not change the way I felt.

I didn’t opt for breast reconstruction as there was minimal change to my breast shape.

My treatment didn’t go smoothly. How I thought my initial diagnosis/treatment outcome should have been compared to what actually happened completely floored me. I was very fearful that I had a greater chance of recurrence.

I had surgery through private surgery and all the radiation therapy and surgical/medical oncology through the public system. I covered the treatment costs myself.

I was eventually declared cancer-free in June 2024.

Unfortunately, I did have side effects from the treatment. The one that affected me the most was getting at least 30 hot flushes daily as a result of the hormone therapy. It caused sleep interruption and I was constantly reaching for my personal fan and removing layers of clothes. I also suffered from fatigue and radiation burn on the treated area.

I took Effexor to reduce the hot flushes, but both prescribed medication and self-medication did not work for me.

I continued to work after my diagnosis as I was not at pension age yet, but I changed jobs after my treatment. I had a very stressful job and was unable to cope following my return to work so I left for my own sanity’s sake. I have since stopped work permanently and I’m financially worse off now. I was also mindful of the need to lose some weight.

These products and services were particularly useful in my cancer journey: peanut pillow post-surgery, breast cancer nurse support, Cancer Council support, oncology follow ups, BCNA network, Breast Cancer Trials website.

I faced many challenges in my personal life. I had 3 close relatives living with dementia. One is in a nursing home and 2 have since died. This affected me the most. Attending to elderly relatives’ affairs and their wellbeing through dealing with government agencies, banks, bill paying, transportation to appointments was a lot to handle. But I had support from siblings, thank God. In the space of 5 years, 4 grandchildren have been born and I’m heavily involved in their lives. As a cancer survivor, the most challenging aspect has been coping with a cancer diagnosis while caring for elderly parents and my children beginning their families. It’s very hard to have “me” time. I just take life one day at a time. Truthfully, life goes on. It does not let up simply because you have had cancer. Your closest family will forget your suffering and fears as their life goes on too. It’s a hard fact to swallow!

On top of that, I couldn’t handle the job I had been doing for 16 years. I changed jobs, but I couldn’t handle that either, as well as looking after the affairs of 3 people with dementia. It was roughly 1 year of trying to get back to work but I was miserable. With my husband’s support I resigned and have not worked since. My husband has now retired. He is applying for a pension and we plan to do some low budget travelling. I went from 0 meds to several a day and the cost of medication is high. Also, while having my first follow-up to the cancer diagnosis I was found to have a heart condition. 6 months after surgery and radiation therapy I had to have the aortic valve replaced as well as a graft to an ascending aortic aneurysm in 2020.

Recurrence has been my only fear and it has affected me badly. I don’t sleep well anymore, I cry more at the drop of a hat and I’m reminded everyday through chronic pain from radiation. This fear does not let up.

I’ve read a lot. I’ve joined online support groups and cancer research sites. I’ve written significant information in a journal – journaled all my feelings, journaled positive thoughts. I would recommend other cancer patients to use a diary to write all your info/feelings/highs and lows. Very therapeutic!

It’s been years since my initial diagnosis and I still feel fearful. Following unexpected outcomes of my treatment (lump was 18mm, lymphoscintigram failed, surgical margin of only 2mm, constant discomfort of post-radiation treatment), my confidence has been undermined and I’m constantly reminded of the possibility of recurrence.

In the heat of the moment after initial diagnosis when your head is reeling and you are bombarded with decisions to make, remember it’s YOU who has been diagnosed. There are many people wanting you to make decisions immediately without giving you time to take a breath to consider all options. They want your decision NOW so THEY can move on. A few more days of gathering info and advice will not make any difference so I advise you to take this time to plan and be confident in it. You’ll have a roller coaster ride ahead of you – both physically and mentally. Stay strong. If you are not coping, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Treatment does eventually come to an end. Time to pick up the pieces of your life, find your new “normal”, and start anew! Ask the very best.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS. Even though my head was spinning around with who was going to do what, I felt pressured into making decisions about my treatment quickly. If I had to do it all over again I would slow down decision-making until all options are on the table.