Donna Handley Sydney, New South Wales Australia Amazon Heart Thunder Australia 2006, 2007 & 2009 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 of 7 years & an Amazon Heart Addict!

This will be my 7th Event with Amazon Heart and the 7th time I’ve promised hubby Dave,“ I will come home, I promise!!!”

In Oct 2000 aged 34, my sons were 5 & 9 and life was hectic running a Catering business and a young family. 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.

By May 2001 my now suspicious lump had grown to grape size and this was now the start of my merry go-round of doctors, mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, surgeons, and to hear those words your not expecting to hear at 35 years old, still ring in my ears. ‘I’m sorry but its Grade 3, aggressive Breast Cancer’. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I felt numb. That memory just doesn’t go away!

Surgery for me was a Lumpectomy and full Lymph node removal. 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 suffered terrible anxiety. It was 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.

It all feels like a distant memory now 7 years later, I feel that I’m only reminded each morning when I look in the mirror and see my scar and think, “My god, that’s right, Ive had Breast Cancer”

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.

My sons Dylan & Liam are now nearly 14 & 18, and I’ll be celebrating 20 years marriage with Dave in April 2009.

I now enjoy the challenges life throws at me and I have learnt to never say “No! I can’t!” until I’ve tried cause chances are I probably can!!!!!…...
 
In May 2009 I will be participating in my 7th Amazon Heart Event, riding a Harley down from Brisbane to Sydney. I can hardly wait, there’s nothing more empowering than being with this group of Breast Cancer survivors riding Harley’s. I am in awe of the Power of us.

As well as being chosen for the very first adventure for Amazon Heart, US 2004 ride, Californian Coastline, my other adventures have been, The UK ride- London to Scotland 2005, The Aussie ride- Sydney to Brisbane 2005. Montana Odyssey 2006 - building a Bunkhouse for the Blackfeet Indian children. The Aussie ride – Syd to Brisbane 2006 and The Aussie ride - The Great Ocean road, Melb to Adelaide 2007.  Ive met and made new friends with some wonderful people and have a worldwide network of Breast Cancer Survivor friends.

To Megan & Meredith, Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity and I look forward to having some seriously good times with old and new participants.

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