I’d like to say this is one of the most memorable and fun times in the last 30+ years of my softball life that I’ve ever had. It felt so good to have a real genuine smile on my face, which has been a little forced and hard to do over the last 12 months of my life…. 

I personally know myself the real challenges that are faced with Cancer and there are some dark times had by many.

I consider myself a very lucky girl having come through my journey with so much more life to live. 

This time last year, almost to the day, on the 16th Dec. I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (there was a story on TV recently about Tessa James, my experience was quite similar….). Christmas eve I found out about my plan of attack and New Year’s Eve my chemotherapy started. The next few months were a write off… I spent our 20th wedding anniversary in the chemo chair (bald and feeling pretty ugly!) 

Half way through I got to celebrate, the treatment was successful so far. I was getting lots of great support through many family and friends and medical staff near and far with my main supporters by my side every single day Boof,Emily and Kate.

Thanks everyone for getting me through this crappy time in life! 

It was so good to get back on the diamond and be given an opportunity to participate in every way! First time back in the blue uniform for quite some time. I was surprised that my head and legs got it together.

Thank you also to everyone who laughed at the right time during the Yellow Socks Charity game, with me or at me didn’t matter , just laughing was good enough for me! I had a great time!

And just thanks!

Here’s hoping for an invite next year….

The post Danielle’s Back on the diamond! appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.

Below is Carmen’s story:

“In May 2005 I had a mammogram, something I did every two years. However, this time they called me back and said they’d found a lump. I went to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) in Sydney for tests and I found out that afternoon that the lump was breast cancer. I started treatment straight away.

“When you start the treatment you aren’t sick – you become sick. One of the hardest things you have to deal with is that you feel fine at first but the treatment literally poisons your body. Getting sick before a session is one of the side effects of the chemotherapy.

“When you receive the diagnosis you’re immediately allocated a team that will work with you through your treatment – an oncologist, a surgeon, a radiologist and a cancer care nurse. You go through a lot of changes, physically and emotionally, and they’re able to help you come to terms with what you’re experiencing.

“The cancer care nurses are especially important, and some of the fundraising through Pink Ribbon Day goes towards ensuring access to the nurses. They support so many women, and it’s often the small things that can make such a big difference. For example, when I started my treatment I was given the opportunity to have my hair cut at a top hairdresser for free. Many women lose their hair and eyebrows through the chemotherapy and it may never grow back, so this is something that helps you feel normal.

“Because I continued working through my treatment I participated in a study that involved taking vitamin supplements to see if they had any affect. The chemotherapy can affect your ability to think and act clearly, and they wanted to see how my brain was able to cope with running the payroll for a large company. A lot of the money raised through events like Pink Ribbon Day goes towards funding research like this.

“Breast cancer is a very emotional thing for many people. At work I found that many people had experienced breast cancer through a family member or friend, and when they found out about my diagnosis they were keen to offer their support. There’s a big community of people who have some experience of breast cancer in their lives, and this community comes together to help others.

“It’s a terrible disease for everyone, not just the individual. And it’s like a wave that affects entire families. My own family was incredibly supportive. My daughter is a microbiologist and looked for ways to help my treatment, and my husband is an incredibly strong person. But during my treatment my granddaughter was born, which created a happy diversion for all of us.

“If someone in your life is diagnosed with breast cancer – or any illness – it’s important to look at your support system. People who’ve been there can help and advise, and they can give you affirmation of how you can provide support, especially in keeping things as normal as possible. Talking to survivors is always encouraging.

“Since the diagnosis and completing my treatment I appreciate life so much more. My family is so important to me and I don’t get as upset about mundane day-to-day issues. I look forward to every day in my journey and enjoy being able to support people as they head down their own paths.”

How can you help?

You can contribute to the Support system that did such a great job for Carmen by clicking here and donating or by purchasing our pink wristbands in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Carmen thank you for sharing your story, you are very brave and we are so proud of you in beating cancer and having a positive attitude towards life.

The post Carmen shares her story for Breast Cancer Awareness Month appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.

I noticed that I had an annoying sore spot on the inside of my right breast. I tried to rub it to ease the pain and felt a hard lump about the size of a pea, as I was in the middle of my menstrual cycle I thought it was just a build up of fluid.  Over the next couple of weeks the lump was extremely tender and increased in size.

I could actually see it under the skin when I lay on my back.  My friends encouraged me to see my GP to just get it checked out.  My GP sent me off for a mammogram at the local hospital; the result came back as inconclusive. Arrangements were then made for me to go to The Wesley Hospital for further examinations – I was devastated to be told I had breast cancer.

Within a week I had seen a surgeon, a lumpectomy performed, lumphnodes removed and a full body scan was done. Everything happened so fast I didn’t get time to process anything. The surgeon rang me with news the nodes were clear and he got a good clearance around the cancer, it was the relief in his voice that made me aware this was significant.  Testing was also done on the lump to find out what sort cancer I had and what course of action was to be taken next.  It was determined I was a grade 2, HER2+ and required 8 chemotherapy treatments, and 30 radiation treatments. 

It has now been 5 years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I find my biggest battle is with my own mind.  With each year passing I know I should be feeling confident that I have beat it, however my fearful side plagues me with thoughts of “am I getting closer to getting it back”.  I have my mammograms on a yearly basis, most women cringe at the thought of having them, but when you have had breast cancer those yearly visits are absolutely terrifying and mentally exhausting.  You go there full of confidence and put on a brave face, determined in thought it’s just the process you have to go through like every other woman, besides you are every other woman now, you beat it, it’s gone, however your emotions get the better of you.

 I am a true believer in fate, things happen for a reason; I have never been one to think “why did this happen to me” and I never will. I was coaching a junior softball team at the time and I was determined never to miss a game, I wanted to show them that having cancer was not an end but just a part of life that you had to deal with. I had wonderful support from my family and friends to whom I am forever grateful to.

 To all the professionals that have done so much research and the volunteers who give their time and raise money into beating breast cancer, I am a cancer survivor because of you.

The post Anna’s Story appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.