Linda’s Story

Hi, my name is Linda, I have a beautiful husband Tony and two beautiful children James 26 and Lauren 24.

I am currently working full time as the College Registrar in a Catholic secondary school. I love my job and hopefully will stay well and continue to work for many more years.

I was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. I was 40. It was a great prognosis (if there is such a thing) grade 1, confined to the breast without any lymph nodes affected.

I had a full mastectomy and was placed on tamoxifen for 5 years.

No chemo or radiation treatment required, I was one of the lucky ones caught very early.

Twelve months later I went back for a breast reconstruction, the operation was partially successful, unfortunately my new breast is smaller therefore I still require a prosthesis. I found this very difficult to deal with, probably harder than losing the breast in the first place. The operation was very painful and didn’t achieve the desired result I was expecting.

Putting that behind me life went back to normal, breast cancer to me was just a little bend in the road. Check-ups went on to become annual appointments.

Life changed again for me in 2008, a regular pap smear returned positive. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Beautiful Professor Grant assured that this cancer was not related to the breast cancer.

I had a radical hysterectomy, Professor Grant was satisfied that he had removed all of the cancer and once again no chemo or radiation treatment required.

After 5 years of regular check-ups Professor Grant advised me that I “had graduated” and didn’t need to see him any more and that I could return to my GP for regular pap smears. That was in September 2014.

In January 2015 I went to the GP complaining of a very sore back and shortness of breath. Scans revealed that my lung was full of fluid, test confirmed that it was cancer. The breast cancer had returned after 14 years. I had the fluid drained from my lung, together with surgery to prevent the build-up / return of the fluid.

My treatment to date has been Arimidex, Fulvestrant and I am currently taking Capecitabene.

At the moment I am feeling well and healthy. I have been fortunate enough to travel overseas 3 times and escape for weekends interstate as much as we can. I try to exercise regularly and continue to live my life the way I always have. (2017)