A SURVIVOR’S STORY
No obvious lump — but still a 5cm breast cancer
Rosemary Grundy definitely knows the value in research. Research and knowledge is what got her through the difficult journey of breast cancer.
“I guess I wanted control of this thing that I really had no control over.”
Four years ago, Rosemary had already booked her two-month holiday with her family and popped in for her usual mammogram.
However, a second mammogram, a biopsy, and an ultrasound later and she was not going on that holiday.
Rosemary was given the news that she had breast cancer the day before the scheduled trip.
“It was good timing really, I already had two months scheduled off work, so I was able to fit most of my treatment in.”
This sums up Rosemary’s attitude to the cancer – very practical and matter-of-fact.
“It was the worst December of my life,” she said.
“I have very polycystic and thick breast tissue which made it difficult to notice any of the usual changes. The mammogram picked up some calcification which really wasn’t anything to do with the cancer – but because they were there I was asked back for an ultrasound where they found a large 5cm cancerous mass – but still even my surgeon couldn’t feel anything.
“The cancer seemed to find the path of least resistance through the thick breast tissue which made it really hard to feel anything.
“When I was told that it was cancer, the nurses were there for me.
“I could ask them anything. There was so much for me to learn. It was only seven days between being given the diagnosis and my surgery. And I used that time to research. I asked questions. And I didn’t sleep much,” Rosemary said.
“I started writing lists of things I needed to do. I also had some really awful black stuff going on in my head and my list became almost a journal of my thoughts, a stream of consciousness that I could close after it was written and get on with what I needed to do with my day.
“I still have that book. Maybe I will open it again one day.
“After the mastectomy surgery Bronwyn (Bronwyn King is the Breast Care Nurse at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba) was there for me.
I found myself walking behind my children — letting them walk ahead of me so I could see what they would look like without me in their life...
“She just sat with me for what seemed a very long time – whatever time I needed. And whenever I thought of a question, she was there to give me an answer. After the surgery I had to have five months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I found myself walking behind my children – letting them walk ahead of me so I could see what they would look like without me in their life…..
“During that time I researched. I researched a lot. I would have read over 300 journal articles. I was looking for some reason to hope. One thing that I grabbed hold of was some studies that looked at the effect of exercise on survival rates of breast cancer patients – most of the studies found that exercise increased the rate of survival by 50 per cent. I joined the gym and found that I really love to exercise. I still go three times a week.
“Breast cancer is part of my life now but thanks to the beautiful care from St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba and their Breast Care nurses even four years after I first was a patient, I still have the support and information I need when I need it.
“They give me every opportunity to beat this diagnosis. Like they say, “Cancer is a word, not a sentence”.
October is Breast Cancer Month. Rosemary’s story really highlights the fact that there are many different ways to notice changes in the breast tissues in addition to a lump. If you notice any dimpling or thickening of the skin, discharge from the nipples, lumps, pain or unusual swelling, please see your GP. If you are over 40 talk to your GP about having regular mammograms and ask about the options of additional ultrasound checks. The risk of breast cancer is dramatically reduced with regular exercise and limited alcohol consumption.