Daughters of the West saved my life!
Hello, my name is Helen, and I want to share my story - a story of life-altering challenges and the incredible support that carried me through!
It all began with my participation in Daughters of the West (DOTW), the health & wellbeing program of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.
As a part of the program, all participants were encouraged to go for an annual GP check – a great idea that many of us let go by the wayside as we get lost in the busyness of day-to-day life!
As a part of this process, I had a routine mammogram in late July of 2023, thinking nothing of it, given I had no symptoms and felt in good health.
On Wednesday, August 30th, I received the news that I had early Breast Cancer. What surprised me the most was that I couldn't feel anything unusual in myself – I hope others can learn from my story about the critical importance of regular check-ups and mammograms!
September 13th marked a significant milestone in my journey - a lumpectomy. The surgery aimed to remove a two centimetre cancerous area and a lymph node. Unfortunately, I had an adverse reaction to medications, and I ended up staying overnight in the hospital. It was a tough start!
However, the most challenging news came two weeks later when I learned that I needed additional surgery to ensure a safe margin around the cancerous area. This shattered my hopes of a planned holiday in Bali, but it was obviously necessary.
Undaunted, I underwent my second surgery on October 11th, during which a larger tissue area was removed through the same incision. Surprisingly, I recovered remarkably well and was discharged on the very same day. The relief washed over me when the results on October 24th indicated that I was finally in the clear, and the surgeon granted me permission to go to Bali as planned!
Throughout this challenging time, my husband Ross, our children Sarah, Daniel and their partners provided unwavering support. Friends like Tracey and Maxine were my rocks, accompanying me on 6am train rides along with Lesley to other appointments when Ross couldn't be there.
Extended family, friends, and even my gym buddies that I had done DOTW with showered me with flowers, chocolates, donuts, and most vitally, the comfort of a listening ear.
My two-year involvement in DOTW had been an incredible journey of self-discovery. I gained valuable insights into health, community engagement, and formed enduring friendships. The personal stories shared by guest speakers inspired me to become more proactive in my fitness regimen and of course, the space to reunite with old friends and make new ones became priceless to me.
The lasting impact of my involvement in DOTW was profound as it taught me how important it is to look after my own needs and health. It was astonishing to discover that many of my fellow DOTW participants had also battled breast cancer. This created a profound bond of shared experiences and a powerful network of support that made a world of difference – and shows how DOTW is literally saving lives!
Motivated by our shared experiences, we came together to raise money for Breast Cancer through our ‘Pink Breakfast Fundraiser’. In a testament to the character of the people involved, we raised $6760.41, a humbling experience that highlighted how lucky I am to be surrounded by people so full of kindness and generosity!
