.jpg)
My Story
Jen Lucas
I first felt the lump in January 2007. I can’t remember exactly how, but I was possibly changing my bra or something and felt a lump just under my nipple. There was no chance cancer crossed my mind at that stage and I forgot about it. Words: Jen Lucas
Approximately a month later, I felt it again and asked my boyfriend and my mum if they could feel it - they both said, “Yes.” So with encouragement from my mum, I went to my GP. My GP said she could feel the lump I had found but also felt another one over on my left. She said it would probably be nothing as I had no family history and at 21-years-old I was considered very young - girls my age typically have abnormalities as breast tissue is still developing. However to be on the safe side, my GP referred me to have an ultrasound. I began to hear the term ‘just in case’ quite a lot. When I went in for an ultrasound they said the lump my GP had found was definitely abnormal tissue but they couldn’t tell what it was, so they’d referred me for a mammogram ‘just in case’. The ultrasound staff had the same belief - “Don’t worry about it, it’s probably nothing as you have no family history and you’re so young. A lot of girls your age get these”.
The funny thing was that the lump I actually found turned out to be just a raised part of my areola (nipple) edge, so the very thing I had gone in for turned out to be nothing. It was by pure coincidence that my cancer was found.
The staff involved in carrying out my mammogram said exactly the same thing, “You’re so young, don’t worry about it - but we will refer you to get a core biopsy ‘just in case’.” The first time someone didn’t tell me not to worry was after completing the core biopsy. I was advised I would just have to wait for the results. Although this startled me a little, because so many other people had told me not to worry, I wasn’t too fazed.
When I had my results appointment, I was in my second year of physiotherapy training in Auckland, and I was in the middle of my first semester exams. I do admit I had a couple of conversations with different people about the reality of a possible cancer diagnosis. But why couldn’t it be me, so many other people have illnesses or have car crashes and things like that. Why couldn’t this happen to me? I’m no different to anyone else! I don’t think I ever believed I had cancer, it was just passing thoughts that ran through my head, and I wasn’t that worried or scared going into the results appointment.
My mum came with me and the surgeon took me into a room. The nurse that followed her in had tears in her eyes. The moment I saw that I had a sinking feeling in my tummy. I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma insitu (DCIS) – or non-invasive breast cancer. The surgeon told me the DCIS had spread throughout my breast and my only option was to have a mastectomy. It was a huge shock and it hurt a lot thinking about having a breast removed. However, my loving boyfriend was extremely supportive and said, “At least it’s not a limb babe. That would be harder to live without.”
I decided to have a latissimus dorsi back flap reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy. It was a seven hour operation and I spent seven days in hospital. My outlook was, and still is, positive and I was determined to remain strong and optimistic through my breast cancer struggle. After having the reconstructive surgery on my breast, I do not feel as if I only have one breast. I look and feel normal and the surgeon has done an amazing job.
I was glad the surgery was over and three days after getting out of hospital I went back to see my surgeon, supposedly for the last time. As the cancer was DCIS, I thought my treatment would be completed with the mastectomy and I was elated my journey was about to finish. But it was not to be. To my disbelief my surgeon informed me they had found invasive cancer and it tested positive for HER2, and for both the hormone receptors. This meant I was going to have to have a series of extra treatments, including chemotherapy. The Oncologist advised me that the chemotherapy may stop me from having children and that radiotherapy may deform my newly formed breast. And Herceptin was going to cost approximately $72,000. I was overwhelmed, but still remained positive, and I looked on the bright side of everything that was happening.
Over my whole life I have dreamed of, and looked forward to, having children one day, so without a doubt I wanted to try to save some of my eggs. Unfortunately, the collection was unsuccessful and as I was scheduled in for chemo that afternoon there was no time to try again. This was probably the most devastating news I have received so far, however, the support from my mum and boyfriend once again seemed to pull me through. I began chemo that afternoon in August 2007, and started to meet some of the most inspirational people I may ever come across. This was a real boost for me as I realised I wasn’t the only one going through the cancer journey.
A significant part of my journey was when I joined the Breast Cancer Aoteroa Coalition (BCAC) to get signatures in support of funding for 12 months of Herceptin. I managed to get 8,000 signatures in the four days I had before the petition closed. Unfortunately, it could take up to 18 months to go through parliament and I had to continue with my treatment in February 2008. So this may not help me, but if it helps even just one other person, it was definitely worth standing outside the supermarkets and going to all the businesses. Getting the signatures for the Herceptin petition had a snowball effect and led me to many other people who have helped me.
With the help of family and friends we have organised several fundraising events, including a concert, a squash tournament, hair shaving events and more. Hopefully, by the time my story is published I will have raised the $72,000 required to fund my remaining Herceptin treatment. The fundraising has brought out some amazing generosity and I would especially like to thank ASB, Go Geko, Turners Car Auction, United Video, Move my Pension, Continuous Spouting, Brandish, and particularly Denise MacKenzie for all her extraordinary work and support.
It has been an extremely trying time, commuting back and forth between Hamilton and Auckland. However, AUT University gave me massive support and I am very thankful to them as I managed to pass my course with all A’s. My family and friends have all been exceptionally supportive throughout, especially my mum.
I think having a positive attitude has been the key to getting through this and if I had a choice I wouldn’t change it for anything. I have looked at all the good things that have come from this - like learning about me, and realising my potential. I’ve also met some really amazing and inspirational people. I was having chemo the other day and talking to a man who was fighting three different types of cancer and we both agreed that we could tick the life experience box of our lives!
I hope my story makes people aware that a cancer diagnosis can happen to anyone. My advice is to take life as it comes and try to look on the bright side of every situation. Although sometimes the positive stuff doesn’t present itself clearly, don’t give up on looking for it because it will always, almost certainly, be there.
Please visit my website at www.jenlucas.co.nz
