TESTIMONIALS

TESTIMONIALS

Carol

Breast cancer survivor

“As a patient of Prof Bruce Mann and Dr Dean Trotter, I have been touched and humbled by the level of care that I have received via the breast service of the Royal Women’s and Royal Melbourne hospitals.

I am a mid-40 year old wife/mother/friend and I am no different to any other person. However, in 2018, I underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstruction surgery and was fortunate to have 2 of the best surgeons do what they do best.”

  • “As a patient of Prof Bruce Mann and Dr Dean Trotter, I have been touched and humbled by the level of care that I have received via the breast service of the Royal Women’s and Royal Melbourne hospitals.

    I am a mid-40 year old wife/mother/friend and I am no different to any other person. However, in 2018, I underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstruction surgery and was fortunate to have 2 of the best surgeons do what they do best.

    I am a BRCA2 carrier and my maternal family have a long history of cancer. As I am a brca carrier, I was involved with the familial cancer centre in Melbourne and I was having yearly MRI’s & Mammogram check-ups. In (2014) I was advised by various experts to have a hysterectomy and removal of my ovaries. As this would reduce my chances of breast cancer & ovarian cancer. I didn’t want to live with the fear of having cancer, therefore I went ahead with the procedure, as difficult as it was!

    Unfortunately, 2 years later (2016), during my routine check-up, I was diagnosed with DCIS (which means in situ and is a non-invasive breast cancer, as the cells are contained within the ducts). My new diagnosis devastated my world. I had previously removed most of my internal organs to hopefully reduce my risk of breast cancer and now there was talk of possibly removing my breasts. I was so rattled and completely freaked out, there was no way I was going to have any radical surgery, in fact, I wanted nothing at all. Bruce was very kind and patient with me, I finally agreed to the less invasive treatment; a lumpectomy followed by tamoxifen and surveillance.

    Fast forward to May 2018 during my yearly routine check-up, Bruce gives me the bad news again, that I have DCIS, in the same breast and similar location… but this time, Bruce advised me that I cannot take the less invasive approach and that I needed to make some serious decisions. Either 6 weeks of intense radiation or the removal of my breasts... I didn't know how I was going to make this decision.

    After seeing Bruce, Dean and Monique Baldacchino, I was no better off with my decision. In fact, I became completely irrational & unhinged. I was in a vortex, going round & round 100 miles per hour. My life revolved around this difficult situation. I kept on holding on to the words that I do not have cancer and that I have pre-cancer!

    After several visits with Bruce and Monique, it was suggested that I needed to seek some help from professionals to help me move ahead. I have had the amazing opportunity to get psychological counselling in order to assist me with my radical decision and to help me return to a rational and sound state of mind. This is where my journey began, via the breast services counselling at the RWH. I was recommended to see Leah who is funded by Treasure Chest Charity, to assist women like me.

    Leah made a massive difference in helping to rationalise my thinking and helping me to take the next necessary steps in my care. Leah was paramount in helping me climb out of my vortex as all I could think of was: “I don’t have cancer, why do I have to do this”? I only have DCIS and this could potentially lead to cancer, but why do I need to take this radical approach? How far do I need to go in order to eliminate/reduce my risks?

    I was seeing Leah weekly for many weeks and I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for her. Every week I was edging closer to my decision and when I would leave our sessions, I would walk away feeling a little lighter. Leah would give me some homework and I would go back home and include my husband and my two wonderful daughters. This journey became “our” journey. I would look forward to seeing Leah as she truly understood me and could help me get out of my vortex.

    My husband and I have been so touched and humbled by the level of care that I have received via the breast service. I am very grateful for the work that Treasure Chest Charity do. The focus on what to do is one thing but the after-care, and the before-care support is so important, needless to say vital and beneficial.

    I am now looking positively towards my long and bright future, I am healthy physically, emotionally and mentally, I am cancer free and it feels great!”

Maggie

Mindfulness program participant
(Treasure Chest pays for the psychologist who facilitates the program)

“Thank you so much for encouraging me to attend the mindfulness group as part of the Royal Women's.
…
The exercises I learnt in the class taught me how to deal with each thought and to let it go.”

  • “Thank you so much for encouraging me to attend the mindfulness group as part of the Royal Women's.

    Before I started, I was experiencing morbid thoughts about my future and the return of the cancer. These thoughts has a stultifying effect in my social and professional life.

    The exercises I learnt in the class taught me how to deal with each thought and to let it go.

    I am now in a much healthier state of mind. I still think about the cancer coming back but I do not obsess about it and it does not prevent me from enjoying my life, as it did before the mindfulness training. I now think, if the cancer comes back, I’ll deal with it then. A major break-through.

    The team leaders were great. They were both respectful and perceptive and together created a space of safety and calm but one in which we could feel free to laugh.

    I really looked forward to seeing them and the group each Tuesday. Even freezing rains and physical maladies couldn’t keep me away.

    It has been an invaluable aid to my recovery.”

Emilia

Breast cancer survivor

“I was eager to donate to any charity to help find a cure for this insidious disease, cancer. One day speaking with Monique, she mentioned Treasure Chest.

I had heard about Treasure Chest because they fund the scalp cooling cap machine, which I had tried during my first dose of chemo.”

  • ”Coming from a background where no one has had cancer and it really doesn’t exist in our family history, imagine the shock when I discovered a lump in my breast and then to be told I had cancer. So, after many tests and appointments with Prof Bruce Mann (breast surgeon) and Mr Dean Trotter (plastic surgeon), I had a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction in early September this year. On the road to my recovery, I was always looked after by the special team of Plastic Surgery and Breast Care Nurses: Jenny Langdon, who always tended to my scars, and Monique Baldacchino and Claire Noonan, who always made themselves available to answer my many calls, queries and every emotional need.

    I felt as though I wanted to give something back, not only to all the wonderful doctors and nurses whom I met along the way through the Royal Melbourne and the Royal Women’s but especially to the nurses. So, once I had recovered, my beautiful daughter-in-law, Jayne, my dearest friend, Michelle, and my gorgeous daughter, Carla, organised a “Ladies Day In” Fundraiser.

    We would have been happy to raise $1,000 but we were stoked to have raised so much more. I was and still am extremely grateful to all the family and friends who made the fundraiser such a great success and a fantastic day. Everyone was so generous.

    I was eager to donate to any charity to help find a cure for this insidious disease, cancer. One day speaking with Monique, she mentioned Treasure Chest. I had heard about Treasure Chest because they fund the scalp cooling cap machine, which I had tried during my first dose of chemo. Therefore, without a second thought, we donated a larger sum of the amount we raised to Treasure Chest. I know that Treasure Chest are very appreciative of our donation and it will be used to fund extra Psychology sessions or another Home Care Package for a breast cancer patient recovering from reconstruction. Regardless of the way the donation is used, all I want to say is thank you so much for all your help and advice.

    Keep up the great work!”

Praniti

Breast cancer survivor

“Coming to BRA night was the best decision and best place to get so much information…this event was life changing for me.”

”Thank you for helping me and other women through these hardships and making these nights meaningful.”

  • “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to provide feedback to such an amazing cause.

    When I was about to go through my Mastectomy and reconstruction, my anxiety was crippling. The uncertainty of the unknown was unsettling.

    Coming to BRA night was the best decision and best place to get so much information. The information about what to expect, what happens during the process and after discharging, helped in taking care of myself when I am all alone (being a single parent) . The tips shared were a great reminder in my healing process. 

    The brave, inspiring, beautiful women shared their journey, which was real and relatable. Their journey and experience helped in reducing my anxiety and helped me in giving hope that I can have a good outcome as theirs.

    Because of BRA nights, I got the opportunity to share my journey of cancer treatment with double mastectomy which is fulfilling and purposeful. This event was life changing for me.

    I am so grateful to be part of BRA nights and heartfelt Thanks to the team for organising and making efforts to keep going.

    Thank you for helping me and other women through these hardships and making these nights meaningful.”

Kate

Breast cancer survivor

“We all Thank Treasure Chest for their amazing support and contribution to a very bare and emotionally raw BRA evening, that is so essential for all women on this journey along with their allied health care team”

  • “My journey to BRA night was through a scared lens of a women facing a double mastectomy (preventative), the breast care team invited me to this evening, along with my chosen peer support, walking into this meeting, I was overwhelmed with just how many other women were in attendance and in one of the seven (7) women at the front of our presentation to present bare and emotionally raw on their breast reconstruction journey, it was this night that was my turning point to consolidate my decision for myself to undergo the mastectomy/reconstruction. I was empowered, along with my multi-disciplinary team, this BRA night was instrumental and invaluable…

    Fast forward, 12 months post-surgery, I was asked to be a volunteer at the BRA night, I took this opportunity with so much gratitude to be invited and involved in being able to present to women that are sitting in the same seat that I sat in originally, I was able to fully empathise, detail my journey and change another life for the better.

    We all Thank Treasure Chest for their amazing support and contribution to a very ‘bare and emotionally raw BRA evening, that is so essential for all women on this journey along with their allied health care team’, BRA night understated, HOWEVER absolutely a key contribution to all involved.”