Tanya Forrester Plympton, South Australia Australia Amazon Heart Thunder Australia 2007 Experienced Rider   Click Here to Donate Now!

Tanya Forrester is my name and I am 37 years old in July. I am wanting to do this ride; one because I love motorbikes and Harleys especially (although I normally ride a Honda); two because I want to show that someone like me with Advanced Breast Cancer can live a rewarding life, whilst still bringing around awareness of the issues facing younger women with terminal and chronic illness cause by breast cancer. 

I was originally diagnosed in 2003, with a breast carcinoma which was removed, but I already had lymph node involvement which meant I needed chemo and of course radiotherapy to hopefully stop it spreading further. In 2005 I discovered I was pregnant and late in my pregnancy it was discovered that my cancer had come back in my bones and lungs.  My baby was brought on 5 weeks early, so that I could begin treatment including radiotherapy and an operation to put a pin in my left leg, where the cancer had weakened the bone to the point that it would break if left untreated. 

After two weeks in hospital, bubs and I went home. As they took out my ovaries to help starve my hormone receptive cancers, I was put into instant menopause and that hormone therapy, along with radiation therapy, has been the bulk of my current treatment. Since then the various areas where I have my cancer have improved and I am working towards a state of NED (no evidence of disease) which is the remission that we all pray for and work towards.  Eventually though, unless there is a cure, my breast cancer will take me away from my children and family, as although we may fight and beat Advanced Breast Cancer on a battle by battle front, in the long run without a cure I am unlikely to win the war. 

I’m so honoured to be involved in helping raise much needed money for support of young women with Breast Cancer, and making the most of every opportunity afforded to me to live life to the full.  Living with cancer, as a young women with a young family is very challenging and every bit of awareness we can generate, can only help other young women who are unfortunate enough to be following along this path. 

Thanks for you donations and support on this trip. Live to Ride and Ride to Live,

Tanya

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