Laying in bed one morning I was sure I could feel a lump in my right breast; a bad feeling crept through my body.  Off to my female GP and after a mammogram which was all clear I still could not shake this feeling so off to a second female GP that I had worked with at the local hospital and an ultrasound was ordered with the all clear given again, sorry but the last time I felt this way I was having my second child Stephanie who died 2 days after birth with a Malignant Brain Tumour.  Send me to a surgeon NOW… I said and the rest is history; biopsy Monday, mastectomy Friday of the same week and 6 months chemotherapy with 5 weeks radiation.

 It was October 1996 and I had just turned 40. With a husband, a 20 year and 6 year old daughter, a son 5 years and a 1 year old grandson living at home, my world came tumbling down.  My greatest fear was dying before my children were grown; no way was this going to happen to me.  My Grade 3 Ductal Tumour with 7 out of 27 lymph nodes positive was not going to send me to an early grave.  I investigated other options for health and spent many years practicing these in order to give me the best chances of remaining cancer free, no metastases for me thanks!

My life totally changed over night for the better and as time went by and I remained in good health, I embraced each new day with joy and thanks.  I joined a Cancer Support Group and met many inspirational women along the journey; some of whom have lost the fight but have each left their spirit with me forever in my heart.  I do Dragon Boat Paddling at Redcliffe, I volunteer with the Cancer Council as a Breast Cancer Support Person and I have had the pleasure of seeing my children grow to become young adults and gained three more grandchildren.

 I love to travel and meet people so when I discovered Amazon Heart Thunder I was hooked. Having got my motor bike licence before my car licence at the age of 16 I did lots of bush bashing.  Greatly impressed with the exposure Amazon Hearts brings to Breast Cancer Awareness and the prospect of raising funds and meeting women during the event, has driven me with a passion to be a part of this amazing adventure.

So, true to my mother’s words “Rosie, you have to be a survivor” I look forward to the journey and ask your help in getting me there with any and all donations gratefully appreciated.