Robyn's Story
At Voucher Cafe we know all too well the effects Breast Cancer can have on the sufferer as well as their family & loved ones even their business colleagues. One of our very own business partners, Robyn, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in late December 2007, just 3 weeks after her 50th birthday.
Robyn has documented her story here in the hope that other women will understand why self examination should begin as early as possible (35 is not too early!) and not to think they are 'Too Young' or 'Immune until 50'. Read on to gain an understanding of how Robyn learned about her illness, the treatment plan that followed and where she's at today in her recovery process and why we decided to get involved in the Pink Ribbon fundraising activities and how you can help us to make a difference.
It was through Robyn's personal experience with the illness that truly opened our eyes to the fantastic work performed by the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) both in the research to find a cure as well as the numerous support initiatives they provide to the sufferers of the disease and their families and loved ones.
It was through this first hand experience that we came to realise that all this comes at a huge price. Without the efforts of generous businesses and likeminded individuals who donate their time, resources and money to raise these vital funds, this simply wouldn't be possible. So we decided we want to help!
That's why at Voucher Cafe every time we sell ANY hot drink we make a small donation to the NBCF from the profits of the sale. This is our little way that we hope we can make a difference.
We aim to raise $2500.00 in the first year alone. So far we have raised...
Robyn's Story
Diagnosis
I first noticed an abnormal sensation in my right breast about October 2007 but I kept putting off a visit to my GP finding excuse after excuse not to go. Although the lump didn't appear to be getting any larger, it also wasn't going away. Eventually I mustered up the courage to make an appointment as the fear of not knowing slowly began to consume my thoughts.
As Hervey Bay's medical facilities were preparing to close down for the Christmas period, we needed to organise a Biopsy and an Ultrasound rapidly, if I were to be able to have a prognosis before Christmas.
Cancer was diagnosed on the Friday prior to Christmas!
Being unable to contact any Surgeon's in Hervey Bay at this late stage I decided to make contact with the Surgeon in Melbourne who, 2 years prior, had removed a small benign melanoma from my right forearm, Mr. Nicholas D. Houseman MB BS FRACS(Plas) MD. Nick immediately recommended I seek out the services of Miss Jenny Senior FRACS and to organise a flying visit to Melbourne early in January to seek a surgical opinion and to review treatment options and map out a road to recovery.
Action Plan
Jenny outlined the situation I was faced with and recommended a singular mastectomy (removal) of the right breast followed 2-3 months later with 6 cycles of Chemotherapy. Nick then discussed various options for post-mastectomy treatment which included options for either 'Implants' or what is known as a 'Microscopic Tram Flap'.
Whilst I was conscious that my own short term future was very much uncertain, Kane and I had purchased a small business just 6 months prior and we needed to ensure that the Cafe continued to function during the coming months without causing any additional undue stresses.
I decided I would prefer the Microscopic Tram Flap method. Although the initial recuperation period would be longer requiring a lengthier initial stay in Melbourne, this was preferred to the implant method, which would require several return trips to Melbourne over the following 12months for refinement and fine tuning.
A conscious decision was made for me to travel to Melbourne to have the necessary surgeries and to spend my initial recuperation time in Melbourne where practically all my family could be around me to provide support, whilst Kane stayed in Hervey Bay to continue to manage the business throughout my absence.
On the advice of both Jenny and Nick the surgeries were performed at the same time at the Cabrini Private Hospital in Melbourne, at the earliest possible date in the new year, that being 29th January 2008.
Insurance
Thank god for insurance! 15 years prior I had taken out a Life Insurance policy which included Trauma Cover for just such a situation. This insurance ended up being invaluable as it not only covered all my medical costs, but it also allowed Kane to hire additional staff to fill in for me during my absence in the Cafe, thereby relieving the pressure of additional staff costs on our business. I highly recommend all parents seriously consider some form of Life Insurance, if affordable, to provide for their own care as well as the ongoing care of their children in the event of a serious health scare like this!
Follow-Up Treatment
After returning to Hervey Bay toward the end of February I needed to undergo a period of recuperation to allow all surgical wounds to heal fully before any Chemotherapy could commence. This is required as the the very nature of Chemotherapy is to inhibit cell growth, which of course also affects the bodies ability to repair itself.
I suffered a minor setback when one of the wounds wasn't healing properly and needed to be reopened and re-sealed surgically to re-start the repair process. This resulted in a delay of an additional 2-3 months before Chemotherapy could be started.
My Chemotherapy Experience
At this point I didn't really know what I was in for with regards to the Chemotherapy. All the brochures they gave me only served to overload my mind with all the possible side-effects that could be experienced during & after Chemotherapy and I began to wonder if it was all necessary or if they were giving me all this information to decide if I wanted to have the Chemotherapy. A call to Jenny soon answered my concern... "Chemotherapy wasn't an option, it was simply mandatory! "
The next uncertain issue we faced was the location of where the 6 cycles of Chemotherapy treatment were to be performed. We had been advised the nearest locations would require us to drive to Nambour or Brisbane or worse, fly to Cairns every 3 weeks for the treatment. Thankfully, a last minute call to the Hervey Bay hospital confirmed that all the facilities necessary for my particular treatment could be made available right here in Hervey Bay, meaning all that travel was no longer a worry for us! Phew!
Chemotherapy commenced on of June 2008, with repeat cycles every three weeks. As anxious as this was, I managed to pull through each session relatively unscathed. Yes I suffered some of the usual & expected side effects of Chemotherapy, such as:
- Hair loss;
- Isolated occurrences of nausea;
- Tiredness; and apparently
- Short term Memory loss (at least, that's what my family tells me).
As I worked in a food business I was unable to work for the two days immediately following each session as my body was technically 'toxic' during that time, so although I did have some days off work, it was kept to a minimum. I was able to perform all my usual duties right throughout the treatment period relatively pain & stress free and maintaining a positive mental attitude about it all probably helped me through!
In Summary
All up... I guess I got lucky as that really was the extent of my side effects. I'm not trying to suggest everyone will get off this lightly, but being positive sure helped me!
If you find yourself facing a similar uncertain future, feel free to pop in and see me in the Cafe for a coffee, I'm more than happy to talk with fellow patients and help them through however I can. We are located at 417c The Esplanade, Torquay - directly across from the Tennis Court on Torquay Beach!
