Nella’s Story

"My faith has helped me cope with my condition, and the care and experiences of other people strengthen me when I feel down" ...

My name is Nella. I am a single woman, work as a carer for my family, and as an Activity Leader at a community aged care facility.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, when I was 39 years old. I initially felt what I thought was a lump near my nipple and to be sure of the diagnosis the GP sent me for a mammogram. The results came back positive. My oncologist at the time suggested that I have a lumpectomy. I think I was in shock when I came back to see the GP. After a few weeks I started chemotherapy and then radiotherapy for 6 weeks.

My godmother / aunt had already been diagnosed 2 weeks prior to mine. In her case she developed two different cancers in each breast. My beautiful aunt passed away in 2004, and I was privileged to share the process of preparing her body for the undertakers with the nurse. I was amazed at how the nurse treated my aunt’s body with such respect, speaking to her, telling her what she was doing while she wiped her down. I see how precious we all are, and I live each day this way.

In 2011 I started to get pain in my lower back, shoulders, legs and sternum, and it was found that the cancer had spread to my bones. I see my oncologist monthly and I’m treated each month with IV Zometa for my bones.

It was suggested soon after the bone secondaries were diagnosed that I join Thursday Girls. It has become my support group where we share how we are feeling, discuss what tablets we take and the symptoms we experience. We develop close friendships and the group has become like a family. My faith has helped me cope with my condition, and the care and experiences of other people strengthen me when I feel ‘down’.                                                                                                                  January 2019.