HEATHER
I had no idea I had DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). I spontaneously decided to have a mammogram when I saw the pink BreastScreen van in the supermarket car park.
Within 30 days from my initial call back, I had undergone bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction with implants. MRI had shown suspicious cells in my other breast so I wanted to remove all doubt and risk.
I did not need to have chemotherapy due to the non-invasive nature of the DCIS.
My diagnosis came out of the blue. No pain, no lumps. I had the all clear on a mammogram less than two years ago.
I later discovered this is fairly typical of DCIS, which rarely produces symptoms and is usually only picked up through screening.
For me, one of the most frustrating parts of the journey was the dearth of information about choices.
At diagnosis, I was told there were only two surgeons on the Central Coast and I had to choose one. I have since found out by talking to others there are many more options available.
I only had three weeks to decide about surgical options and found the online pictures of breast reconstructions terrifying.
I guess the reason I wanted to be part of this compendium is so people get a more realistic picture of the "real life" experience.
I dreaded telling my son Max, who has Cerebral Palsy and Aspergers, about my breast cancer diagnosis.
But he simply said in typical Max fashion: "Oh well you'll just have to get them lopped off Mum."
That pragmatism and sense of calm and normalcy really pulled me through when I needed it.
"I have only one implant and another "boob" that is empty, as the implant failed due to skin necrosis. But breast cancer has taught me what I look like is really a very small part of who I am. I have learnt to make the best of what I have, and am grateful for clever swimwear with a built in prosthesis that can provide secret symmetry for one-boobed hippies like me."
