Breast cancer survivors, their families and supporters are urging Australians to ‘Stand With Me at the ‘G’ on Sunday 12 August as part of Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and Melbourne Football Club’s fifth Field of Women.
Donna Cleeland-Carney, a breast cancer survivor from Emerald, is one of those survivors and told the ’Mail’ her remarkable story about cancer, caution and closure.
I am a 50-year-old mother of three children.
Both my sons were born with a rare congenital heart defect so I am very accustomed and familiar with medical procedures.
I am not intimidated or daunted by them, however nothing can prepare you for when you are diagnosed and hear that C-word.
In 2016 I attended an annual local breast cancer fund-raiser luncheon and I was inspired and impressed with the organisation, and the generosity and spirit of the local community.
At the time there was no knowing what lay ahead for me and in the following year I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – a cancer in the breast ducts.
My mother had breast cancer with a lump, though mine was irregular as I had no lump and historically unremarkable scans.
While holidaying in Bali, my breast however suddenly looked distorted and became hot and sore.
I also noticed other changes.
On my return from Bali, I visited my local GP as I thought I might have an infection.
After consecutive doctor’s visits and scans, the prognosis remained all clear.
My intuition told me something was not right, so I pushed further for answers.
I had a spontaneous fluid test which was atypical and I then decided to have surgery and genetic testing.
Only then was the true situation revealed.
During the procedure, 35 millimetres of DCIS was found and removed, and an MRI concluded its extent.
It was not only a shock to me, but the medical specialists were surprised to find that the cancer had been hiding inside my breast ducts.
Soon after I underwent a mastectomy with immediate tissue expander and follow-up implant reconstruction.
A year later, I was invited to the same fund-raiser luncheon I had attended earlier, but this time as a guest speaker to share my own breast cancer story.
In a period of 12 months my life had changed significantly, and so as I stood as a speaker in front of the same ladies I had sat with the year before I focused on the positives: on how the fund-raising does make a difference, and how the money raised does filter down to where it is needed most.
Most importantly, I encouraged the ladies and anyone out there to trust their own intuition, question until the answers satisfy and never be afraid to source multiple opinions.
Looking back, the core of my message is to trust your own instincts; my scars are a reminder of that.
The field of Women event will be held on Sunday 12 August before the Melbourne Demons versus Sydney Swans AFL game.
For more information, visit bcna.org.au/fieldofwomen.
All the money from each ticket sold goes directly to Breast Cancer Network Australia.
