24 August 1941 – 21 February 2013
BEGINNING OF JOURNEY
I was diagnosed in 1997 in my right breast, and had a mastectomy, but no radiotherapy.
Diagnosis of Secondaries – in April 2004 a lump appeared on my chest. This was removed, and I had 6 weeks of radiotherapy.
In the middle of 2008 I had a bad pain in my sternum. I also had a broken ankle at the time which didn’t help. Scans revealed cancer in my bones, and also in my lungs.
In January 2009 I started chemotherapy and Herceptin and Zometa, which seemed to be keeping things under control.
In April 2010 I seemed to be having trouble writing. An MRI revealed a brain tumour. I had an operation to remove it, followed by 4 weeks radium. The operation left me with no use in my right arm, but that has improved. I now still have Herceptin 3 weekly, and Zometa 6 weekly.
ABOUT ME
I am a trained nurse. I have worked the majority of my life looking after people and now people are looking after me. It’s been a roller coaster ride. I get up each day and try to do the best I can.
ABOUT MY FAMILY
I had 3 sons, but I lost one son through a horse-riding accident. I have 3 grandchildren
Finances
Keep a spreadsheet of all costs. Include service dates, invoice numbers etc. Ring Centrelink and make an appointment to find out what benefits you are entitled to, e.g. disability support pension, carer’s allowance, carer’s payment. Ring your superannuation board and discuss whether you are entitled to a payout, and what may be involved in accessing your money.