A YOUNG MUM’S BREAST CANCER EXPERIENCE Finding strength :
I want to share my story to bring some hope to other people who have recently been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. I was 33 years old and 33 weeks pregnant with my first child when I was diagnosed with de novo metastatic triple negative breast cancer in July 2020. I was induced with my baby, Willow, at 36 weeks so I could start treatment. I thought I would have six months with her at best. When my doctor confirmed the cancer had spread to my liver and bones, I broke down in tears. I remember saying to my mum, ‘ I’m going to die ’. But then something inside me switched and I thought, ‘ Okay, I’ve got to look after my daughter. What can we do? Let’s get started’ . I began chemotherapy the following week, when Willow was five days old. In September 2020, I found out the chemo had helped shrink my tumour and slow the progression of my metastatic breast cancer. Earlier this year, I told my doctors I’d like to have a break from treatment because it’s so taxing on my body. I was trying to look after Willow and I wasn’t enjoying life. My scans are still looking positive, I feel healthy and, because I don’t have to go for weekly blood tests, I sometimes even forget I have cancer. I have my life back. Obviously I worry about the future, but my doctor assures me there are further treatments we can try if needed. That gives me hope. There are also new drugs being developed through clinical trials to treat metastatic breast cancer and I’m happy to contribute to anything that can help other people. I’m a nurse but I stopped working so I could focus on making memories with my daughter and family. Now I feel ready to go
back to work. I want to rediscover my identity again. I can relate a lot more to my patients now, especially those in pain, as I have had to manage pain from my cancer and the side effects of treatment. I’ve got a different outlook on nursing and life in general. When I was first diagnosed, I couldn’t find many positive stories for my type of cancer. Yet here I am, two years later, still fighting and thriving. My experience has made me a stronger person. I don’t care for trivial things. I value family a lot more. I focus on the good things in my life. My message to others with metastatic breast cancer is to remember you are still your own person, with a career and family and hobbies. Cancer doesn’t define you. WHAT IS DE NOVO METASTATIC BREAST CANCER? Sometimes people are found to have metastatic breast cancer when they are first diagnosed with breast cancer. This means that the previously undiagnosed breast cancer cells have spread to the other parts of the body such as the bones, lungs or liver. This is referred to as ‘de novo’ metastatic breast cancer, meaning the breast cancer is metastatic from the start. You can read more about metastatic breast cancer on BCNA’s My Journey .
Kate Willis and her daughter
HELPFUL RESOURCES
PODCAST: IN CONVERSATION WITH SHANANNE AND KATE: UNDER 40 AND EXPERIENCING BREAST CANCER PODCAST: IN CONVERSATION WITH KALA AND EMILY: LIVING WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER WEBCAST: JUST DIAGNOSED WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER, WHAT’S NEXT? ISSUES PAPER: MAKING METASTATIC BREAST CANCER COUNT
For more information about managing pain associated with metastatic breast cancer, visit BCNA’s My Journey.
December 2022 | Issue 93
Breast Cancer Network Australia
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