Wendy Stokes Rothwell, Queensland Australia Amazon Heart Thunder Australia 2009 Support Van Driver   Click Here to Donate Now!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2008 when I found a lump just a week before I was due to go for my next scan.  One week later I had my operation.  I was lucky because I had 3 months sick leave due to me while I had my chemo.  I was incredibly lucky that I only had to have 4 doses where I do know that other people can have up to 12 months of chemo.

In August 2006 when I went for my first scan after my operation they took so long I had to ring work and tell them I could not go in and took a sicky which was unheard of.  When I arrived home my husband was greeted with a very upset person.  When I got my results 4 hours later I was advised to have a biopsy on a lump.  Luckily it came back clear but I decided then and there that I would get rid of the second breast and have 2 new ones.
I had a boob party after my reconstruction was done and through a party when they were 12 months old on 12 June 2008.  I have been one of the lucky ones who have not had trouble with the reconstruction.

The going has been tough lately as I do not believe that I have really come to terms with having breast cancer even though I always said when I get it not if I get it as my mum and her twin sister both were diagnosed within 4 months of each other 12 years ago.  Both are still alive which is a good omen.

Talking about having breast cancer has never been a problem but I am discovering that it is getting harder and harder to talk about it now.  Sometimes I feel that I do not want the word mentioned in front of me but there I go again and talk to another person about it.
Dragonboat racing has taken me out of the house and thinking more about living big.  It seems that all I do is go to work and come home and work too much.  Training to be a Dragonboat sweep is great fun as well.  I hope to be qualified soon.

As soon as I found out about the Amazon Heart Thunder ride I wanted to attend.  I can only go as a support driver as it would not be safe for all the other people on the road if I attempted to ride a bike.  When they advertised for a support driver in 2006 for the 2007 ride I wanted to go but due to work commitments was unable to.

The ride in 2009 is going to be huge and I feel overwhelmed to be involved.  I look forward to hearing and meeting all the other ladies who will be going on the ride.

Live life to the full.  Get out and enjoy yourself.

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