Sorry.....modesty forbids**G**

Surgery was the first form of treatment for me.
It was probably the scariest too.
The lump I found felt about
the size of a golf ball, but was in fact,
only 5mm in size.
My surgeon removed the lump and also
the lymph glands under my armpit.
This procedure is called a
"lumpectomy" or "breast conserving surgery".
It is the kindest form of breast surgery,
and I am lucky that it is not noticable at all.
The alternatives were pretty radical!

Radio Therapy is painless
and the actual treatment lasts
for about 30 seconds, every day,
for 6 weeks. (for me anyway)
Side effects are minimal,
consisting mainly of tiredness
and mild burning.
And not forgetting the tattoos.
I now have 6 lovely tatts on my chest!
Each day they join the dots and line
them up with the machine
so the radiation is directed to the correct spot,
and not to my heart or lung.

Chemotherapy. The word strikes terror
into your heart. Visions of vomiting,
nausea, hair loss and worse
come to mind. But I think I was very fortunate.
Except for a few stomach cramps, I have
had hardly any side effects at all.
The drugs are administered by IV, every 3 weeks.
It takes about 2 hours for the saline,
anti nausea drugs and chemo drugs
to go through.

I am halfway through my treatments as I write this and I am feeling pretty good.
This page has been good therapy for me. I hope it explains some of what I have been going through.
I was pretty angry at the beginning....the timing was lousy....
but then I guess there is no "good" timing is there.
By the time I finish with all my treatments, cancer will have taken
a good 7 or 8 months out of my life. For a while there it looked like taking over completely.
What with doctors, specialists, hospital, more specialists.....but at this
moment in time January 20 1999...5.56am I can see the light
at the end of the tunnel finally. Life is good!!

1 year later....So far so good. Mammogram looks clear.
My doctor is pleased with everything and so am I. I have a scar which is almost invisible
and you cannot tell that I have had surgery. I still have a tan from radiotherapy and the only
lingering side effect is sensitive skin from chemo, but that is slowly getting
back to normal...oh and I don't think I'll be having anymore babies soon!!
I am finding out there is life after cancer and it's a pretty good life too!!
Watch out for updates....bye.

2 years....WOW....time has flown. My doctor is happy with me
and I am happy with me too. There is no sign of any more
cancer which is great!!!!!!
Life is very good. The kids and I are very happy and it is almost like cancer
never happened. But of course it did and I still have my yearly check ups.
I have started my own business too. So if you need industrial rags gimme a call.....
Well that's it till next time....bye.

3 years....and going strong!! I passed the 3 year check up with
flying colours. I must admit to a bit of anxiety
when a TV personality here was diagnosed with breast cancer again
a few weeks before my check up. She was undergoing her treatments at the same time
as me, 3 years ago. My thoughts are with you Belinda!
Well that's all the news for now....till next time.

5 years!!!Where has the time gone. My last mammagram was clear,
as was the ultrasound and a bone scan. Which is fantastic news.
Seems I might have beaten cancer!! I hope this little diary
of mine is of some comfort to someone one day. Life is good for me now.
I hope it could be good for you too.

Me now 13/5/02....

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