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I am 42 years young and feel terrific!

I live in sunny Queensland, Australia. I come from a family of four, two brothers and a sister. I was born in Port Pirie South Australia and as a family moved around ( Adelaide, Perth, and Melbourne). I finally settled in sunny Brisbane – which is where I have called home for many years. I live with my wonderful partner, Liz, and our “children” - Hannah and Lulu (dogs), Annie (cat), and Rosie (bird). Much of our “family’s” spare time is spent at the beach we are lucky to have a house in Kingscliff (Northern New South Wales) and we try to spend as many weekends as we can getting away and enjoying the beach, walking and just relaxing. It is quite a sight to see the car on the way to the coast with not only Liz, myself and the dogs, but the cat and bird as well!

I have worked within the health care industry all my working life. My first health care career was nursing and I am now working as a product consultant with a company that sells computer systems to healthcare settings. Through this I have been very fortunate to have had opportunity to travel within Australia and overseas, India, United Kingdom and New Zealand. In fact, it was in India that I had my first and only experience on a motorbike (as pillion). We had a ride from Chennai to Pondicherri which would normally take just a few hours in a car. It took more than five hours in almost monsoonal rain and it was dark for most of the ride. A little crazy perhaps – considering I was a first timer, but I just had to do it and had a hoot!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 years ago, aged 37. Prior to diagnosis I was happily working full time (within healthcare IT) and just swanning along and enjoying life as it was. It was at a time when I was feeling on top and nothing could get in my way. Understandably the diagnosis came as a shock, there was no reason why, even after finding a lump in my breast, I should even consider I would get breast cancer. I had surgery (mastectomy and lymph node removal), followed by 6 months chemotherapy and 6 weeks radiation therapy. I had a remarkable supportive partner and I was fortunate that my employer was supportive and I was able to continue working throughout. It took a couple of years to get to a point of wanting breast reconstruction, I had to feel back on top mentally and physically before I could consider this. I am so glad I did. I had the procedure three years ago now and am ecstatic over the result, not only physically but mentally. I am amazed at how much my confidence had dwindled over the years post diagnosis and treatment. It is only the last couple of years that my confidence and self esteem have returned.

Over the last couple of years I have ‘connected’ with other’s affected by breast cancer. I am involved with the BCNA (Breast Cancer Network Australia) QLD Committee to lend a hand where I can to the QLD representatives. This is an organisation that represents women affected by breast cancer and raises awareness in the community to ensure their needs are met. I am actively involved with the local breast cancer support group who meet monthly just for sharing and keeping in touch. I am also happily a member of Dragons Abreast – Australia – a Dragon Boat paddling organisation for breast cancer survivors.

I am a team member of the Brisbane Pink Ladies – although I should correct this as we have a new team name – MISSABITATITTY (keeping in with the “Survivor” theme). Dragons Abreast are a group of breast cancer survivors who want to have some fun, keep ft and importantly promote breast cancer awareness. It is great fun and we have a great time. I have even been able to convince Liz to join me paddling on early Saturday mornings. After trying twice she even agreed to join me in paddling in a 55km marathon along the Ord River (north Western Australia – Kununurra)! She survived.

This is a fantastic opportunity, not only to see a little bit of USA, and to ride a Harley, but to join other younger women living with breast cancer and share this amazing journey with them. I believe that this is an important avenue to promote the awareness of younger women affected by breast cancer, and generate understanding of the needs that are important to the younger women.

The Australian connection is very important to me (as well as all the other younger women here). I was (am) young when diagnosed. I was in my prime, all was going well, I felt great, had a great job, thought only old people had breast cancer, had a breast removed, and felt quite isolated as none of my friends or family had ever been through this experience. I have three young nieces, a younger sister, and a young (like me) female partner. We should all be conscious of this disease and it’s affect on the younger woman.