Donna Handley Sydney, New South Wales Australia Amazon Heart Thunder Australia 2006 & 2007 Changing Gears US 2004, 2005 and Australia 2005 Experienced Rider Click Here to Donate Now!

Hi I’m Donna (Sydney Donna) and I’m a Breast Cancer Survivor!

At the young age of 34, my sons were 5 & 9, life was hectic running a Catering business and a young family. It was Oct 2000 and I felt a lump in my left Breast with the shape I best describe as like a panadol capsule. Not knowing anything about Breast Cancer, a friend told me not to worry because Breast Cancer had to be shaped like a pea. Well mine definitely wasn’t a pea shape. So I ignored it.

8 months later, in May 2001 on my 35 th Birthday my lump had grown to grape size so I thought I better get it checked out. This now suspicious lump was the start of my merry go-round of doctors, mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, surgeons, and to hear those words your not expecting to hear at 35years old, still ring in my ears. ‘I’m sorry but its Grade 3, aggressive Breast Cancer’. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surgery was a Lumpectomy and full Lymph node removal. Thankfully it had not spread into the nodes. Chemotherapy for 6 months followed by 7 weeks of Radiotherapy. The caring for Lymphedema snuck in there too. Against my Oncologist wishes I choose not to take Tamoxifin, to young for menopause, I choose to eat a healthy diet, exercise and drink Chardy.

Although I had heaps of love and support from my family, I was in a very dark and scary place at that time, I lost control of my life, had overwhelming feelings of being ripped off at having my innocence stolen from me, and I was suffering terrible anxiety. It was in a very lonely place for me. I did all what I could do to save myself from the despair I was feeling. I attended support groups, went to Seminars, went to yoga and practiced meditation daily. Not being much of a reader up till then, I too, read all the Harry Potter books.

I set myself some goals. Firstly to get well, physically & emotionally. Then learn to ride a motorbike, make it to 40 th Birthday so I could celebrate 40 and 5 years clear. (I made it and celebrated big in 2006!)

Well, those goals where the start of the amazing journey I’ve been on.

Who would have thought where riding a motorbike & being a Breast Cancer survivor could take you.

This year in October 2007 I will be participating in my 6 th Amazon Heart Event, riding a Harley down the Great Ocean Rd from Melbourne to Adelaide, this was on my list of things I must do so I’m really excited.

As well as being chosen for the first adventure for Amazon Heart my other adventures have been, the US ride -Californian Coastline on a Harley in 2004, the UK ride- London to Scotland 2005, and the Aussie ride- Sydney to Brisbane, 2005. Montana Odyssey 2006- building a Bunkhouse for the Blackfeet Indian children and the Aussie ride again –Syd to Brisbane also in 2006. Ive met and made new friends with some wonderful people and have a worldwide network of Breast Cancer Survivor friends.

I feel Ive been so lucky from being unlucky. Life is now fantastic, the grass is greener and the sky bluer than ever before. I’m passionate about enjoying my life, my little world has opened up. I love my husband Dave & my 2 boys Dylan and Liam. I laugh a lot, relax and love a glass of chardy with my friends and I enjoy the challenges life throws at me.

Today when I look at my scars I’m reminded of my battle with cancer. My battle I fought hard to survive, reminded of my will to live. Being proud of my achievement only seemed fitting I have the word “Survivor” tattooed on that Breast.

Breast Cancer has been a huge wake up call for me, I feel I’ve been given a second chance.

I think I am a stronger person now and a better person for the experience.

Cancer is a real positive in my life. I’m real proud of my achievements.

P.S. Dave I promise I will come home (for the 6 th time…...)

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