THE SURVIVORS
COLLECTION

I am a 54 year old Maori woman. I’m married with three children, a daughter aged 36 and two boys aged 20 and 17. I live in Pukekohe and I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2016.

I found a lump in my right breast. A mammogram revealed cancer in both breasts and showed it spread to my lymph nodes. I had a bilateral mastectomy in September 2016 and have undergone reconstruction – an implant on my left and an expander in my right. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy was completed at the end of May.

I have seven sisters. One of them had breast cancer when she was 39, and she is a survivor of 17 years. As far as we can determine, we are the first in our family to have breast cancer.

Being diagnosed leaves you with an overwhelming feeling of the unknown. I am very lucky to come from a supportive family. My husband was able to take time off work when I underwent chemotherapy and my daughter came to care for me on days when I was feeling unwell, bringing with her our latest addition to the family – a beautiful granddaughter, who was always a great tonic – along with our first granddaughter who is now 12.

Our boys helped in their own quiet way and although I have lost my parents, this journey has been made easier with the support of my sisters, their families, my aunties, uncles, cousins and friends. I was also very fortunate to have an empathetic boss; she enabled me to take as much time off as I required, without any pressure.

If I have words of advice, it is to check your breasts regularly and have mammograms when they’re due. Stay positive and don’t be afraid to ask for help. But most importantly, surround yourself with positive people, who make you laugh. Laughter truly is the best medicine.

I know that living in 2017 means I am a survivor. Treatment can sometimes be harsh, but it saves lives and gives you hope. It means I can see my boys grow into men, I can see the wonderful job my daughter is doing as a mum and of course enjoy the grandchildren we have and the ones still to come.

I feel as though I have been given a second chance. It opens your eyes to what and who is important in life, it makes you want to take the time to “smell the roses” and enjoy each and every moment.

I am proud to show my scars and share my story if it will make more women aware.

I’m 51, a hospice shop manager, living in Browns Bay. I was 35 when I found a lump in my right breast. I was lucky I found it early. I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and five years of hormones (Tamoxifen).

No one can ever prepare you for such a life changing diagnosis but I had great doctors and fantastic, unconditional and unending support from my partner Dave – and I made some good new friends.

After the ‘radio’ and ‘chemo’ were finished, we moved to Nelson and started a new life. But nothing is ever simple and at my next mammogram more cancer was found in my other breast. I elected to have a double mastectomy with Tram Flap reconstruction.

It’s hard to explain how much my confidence was knocked by the second diagnosis but I eventually bounced back – it just took a lot longer than before. I looked for silver linings everywhere – the biggest one was getting a slimmed down pair of boobs that I am so happy with, a flatter tummy from the Tram Flap and a good perspective on what is important in life. I also got a tattoo.

I’ve made friends with women who have travelled the same path and survived. I paddle a dragon boat with 22 of them and they are all unbelievably amazing.

I studied art history at university and love the curvy female models of Rubens. I was amazed to hear how modern doctors were able to diagnose breast cancer from the paintings. I took part in this campaign to illustrate how lucky we are to live now with such amazing treatment. We can survive – but those models did not.

Also, who wouldn’t want to be made into a beautiful painting?

It is important to me to be a positive face for breast cancer survival. I felt very alone when I was diagnosed, but now I know there are lots of us out there doing well. I’ve just celebrated my 15-year cancer-free anniversary; I intend to celebrate quite a few more.

Know your breasts. Check yourself regularly. If you are worried go and get checked early, because knowledge beats breast cancer. Don’t wait. Now is good.

I’m a 39-year-old part-time bookkeeper studying towards becoming an accounting technician and a mother of three young boys aged seven, five and three.

My youngest child had just turned one and he had a bit of an obsession with my boobs. He repeatedly hit me in my right breast, causing me to bruise a little which made me feel my breast. That’s when I noticed a lump. I was quite a regular checker so was aware of my ‘normal’. I had just finished breastfeeding so didn’t think much of it, but thought I’d better check it out.

The cancer was found after my GP sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound, followed by a biopsy.

From that day it was all about how to get rid of it. I had a lumpectomy, which revealed that the cancer was worse than first thought. I had to have a mastectomy, six months of chemotherapy, three weeks of radiation and a year of Herceptin.

One friend rang me and said, “I heard you got some great news.” I was taken aback but he continued to say, “You found it, mate, and that is damn good news because now you can get rid of it.” It was perfect.

It was quite a strange and lonely time. I couldn’t stop thinking about it no matter how hard I tried. I had so much support from family and friends and I felt so loved, but no-one can ever know how you’re feeling and I think that’s why I felt quite distant and alone at that time.

From the beginning I told my surgeon I wanted a double mastectomy and no reconstruction. I remain flat chested and don’t wear any prostheses. For me (and I stress “for me” because everyone is completely different and there are no wrongs in these decisions), I couldn’t really see the point in having reconstruction.

My breasts had done their job, they had fed my three children and what more did I need? My breasts didn’t define me as a woman and didn’t make a difference to who I was. I believed I would still be gorgeous without them so who needed them? Besides, I was sure it was going to make it easier to be a good runner.

My plans for the future are my family. My plans are to be here to see them grow old just like anyone else. Staying healthy is obviously a huge priority and my family is my motivation. I have a huge appreciation for how precious and amazing our bodies are and how important it is to look after them.

Early detection is hugely important – it can literally save your life. We all need to stop being blasé about it; you have a responsibility to yourself to check, get checked and know your normal.

By doing this campaign I want to show people they have options; that the decision is theirs – and theirs alone – when it comes to surgery. I got so much support while I was going through this, from family, friends and strangers, I feel it is a way of giving back and supporting a fantastic cause.

I also agreed to do it because if I can get one person to check their boobs, then that’s one life potentially saved.