My story
My name is Jenny and this is my story… Having already survived Vulva Cancer… My
life was forever changed again on the fateful day of 31st March 2004. This also
happened to be my 60th birthday. What happened after that happened so fast I was
hardly able to process it.
Two weeks later…
I had a mastectomy to remove my right breast. I have to say I was not sad to lose my
breast just happy that losing it would save my life. The confusion and shock drove me
to beg to have the left breast removed. But the surgeon would not remove viable
flesh… I was so frightened that it would spread!
But luckily I never gave up hope and am living my life to the full, thanks to the surgery
and my wonderful supportive family. As well as having the mastectomy I also had to
have course of chemo, the worst part of that was when all my hair fell out. I had
always cherished my hair and when it started to fall out I was bit sad. My eldest son
being the strong manly type who could not cope with all this emotion came over one
day and announced he would shave my head… Which I let him do; it was most
cathartic.
The great thing about the chemo was that I did not have a hair on my body… So no
nasty underarm shaving or waxing of the old lady moustache… yay…
I also had to have a course of radium, which wasn’t too bad. I used to get a lot of
weird looks from people, after my hair fell out if I did not have my bandanna on. This
used to really bother me but I knew what I had been through so I tried to not let it
bother me.
I got a lot of support from my wonderful children, Greg, Debbie and Donovan. Without
their love and support I would have probably given up the will to live. My other family
and friends and my church were great throughout the ordeal.
It does amaze me how people seem to come to you in your hour of need. I was so
blessed, I know not everyone has the help and support that I did and I praise the
Lord that He was there for me when I needed Him.
I have one more year to go to get the all clear… yay Because of the way my life was
affected and all the help I got I would like to give something back. So I’m not sitting
idle, I’m busy knitting (or trying to...) the longest pink scarf in the world.
I am also running (walking more like!) the ‘Race for Life’ which is a 3 mile race to raise
funds for cancer. Wish me luck! I’m only 64 years young; it’s not how young you are
but how young you feel, so I’m sure I can do it
I have one regret about the ‘Race for Life’ and that is that my son cannot do it with me
as they do in other countries. I know it is all about women getting together and
raising funds, but it should be about men and women pulling together to make a
difference…
On to my final words of wisdom: my only advice to men and women is always go for
check-ups regularly (and inspect yourself), never lose faith and always try to be
positive.
Don’t be Negative, Just be Positive.
Love and light
Jenny Chant xxx
