Maria Kelley Mackay, Queensland Australia   Click Here to Donate Now!

Hi my name is Maria Kelley, I’m 43, and I am a breast cancer survivor.

I have been married to my sole mate Martin for 24 years; together we have three great children, now aged: Matt 21 Kirsten 14 and Alanah 11.

My diagnosis of breast cancer was much unexpected. In 2003 I was heavily involved in our local surf club, I was 39 years young, fit and full of life, and I was training to obtain my bronze medallion a personal goal I had set myself.

I had a bump to my chest during one of my training session which was painful and a few days later I felt a lump in my breast. It bothered me for a while, but not enough to do anything about it. A few weeks later I was driving home from work and the Kim Walter’s choice program came on the radio advertising early detection of breast cancer. Kim unfortunately died of breast cancer at the age of 30. Her husband Kevin (captain of the Broncos) started the Kim Walters choice program in 1998 in memory of his late wife. Hearing this made me think that maybe I should see my Doctor about this lump. The next day I made an appointment to see my GP. He examined the lump and reassured me that it was nothing too serious it didn’t fit the Breast cancer criteria, luckily he sent me off for an ultra sound just to be on the safe side.

In July I had my first ever mammogram followed by an ultra sound and a needle biopsy. I saw my Doctor the next day and this is when my journey began. The results indicated it to be breast cancer. My Doctor was shocked. I suppose the diagnosis didn’t really hit me, my response was “ok then let’s get it out”. My doctor was concerned at my reaction, or little of it! I knew of 2 ladies who had breast cancer 10 years ago in my home town Adelaide, they had surgery and radiation and they were both still going well, so I didn’t feel it was a threat to me at all.

I was diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer, without lymph node involvement WOW what a relief. The ultra sound showed the lump that I had felt was not cancer my cancer was growing next to this lump and I hadn’t even felt it there…. Did I have a guardian angle looking out for me or what!!!! The 18 lymph nodes were clear although the pathology results showed involvement in my vascular and lymphatic system, anyway to cut a long story short I had to have the whole ROTTEN LOT - surgery, chemo, radiation & tamoxifen therapy and loose my hair!!!!!

In 2004 my rollercoaster ride was over and life could get back to normal!!! What is normal after breast cancer? I found myself in a very dark stage of my life. I think this is where reality finally hit me, I had been so positive and strong and now here I was emotions running all over the place. My family and friends had been a tower of strength, but I had come through this journey as a different person, I found I had a different out look on life. Cancer had changed me! I remember thinking I had been given a second chance, so something positive should come out of this ordeal.

And so it did, in late 2004 I commenced a Diploma in Nursing, something I always wanted to do from a young age, I graduated in 2006 and currently work at the Mackay Mater Hospital as and endorsed enrolled nurse, I love my job, and caring for people is very rewarding, the same year I commenced a Bachelor of Nursing degree at Uni.

I am also a founding member of our local Dragons abreast team, and have been truly inspired by more amazing women and there stories, our club is called Dragons abreast Mackay (DAM) and our boat “DamOarsome” and awesome we all are!! We are heading down to Sydney for Chinese New Year in February and Caloundra for Abreast in a Boat in September WOW what a year!

Unfortunately 3 years nearly to the day, I was diagnosed with metastases in my spine, again a very early diagnosis. Treatment included a heavier dose of Radiation to the spots, my ovaries removed; changed drugs started new ones and so on. My last bone scan in January this year shows another spot in the pelvis. Once again this has made me re-evaluate my life, so I’ve slowed down the pace just a little, and put uni on hold.

Through out my breast cancer journey, I find myself drawing on only the positives that have come into my life. I am a stronger person emotionally and mentally, I am now ALIVE, not just living. I have met some amazing people, and formed new friendships I am eternally grateful for the Kim Walter’s choice program, and the opportunity to partake in this trek to Arizona.

I hope to inspire other women that have to travel the roller coaster ride of breast cancer! And prove that life has changed not ended!!!!!

Your donation towards such a worthy cause would be greatly appreciated

Thank you for your generosity!!!