17 February 1953 – 9 January 2007
“What happens to you does not matter. What you become through those experiences is all that is significant. This is the true meaning of life.”
A quote that Lorraine came to believe in and and which was read at her funeral.
BEGINNING OF JOURNEY
In 1996 I found a lump in my left breast. Tests were done then, and all came back clear. 10 months later I found a second lump. Tests showed that the first lump had turned malignant, and the second one was as well. I had the lumps and lymph nodes removed, and I had chemo and radiation. I had mammograms and scans done every year since then, and had no problems.
DIAGNOSIS OF SECONDARIES
In 2003 I had a very sore back. I had Bowen Therapy, but the pain was becoming worse, and the therapist suggested I have an Xray, which showed tumours in the spine. Further tests revealed other tumours in the bones. In 2005 a mammogram and scan showed a return of cancer to the ducts in the left breast. In 2005, on Melbourne Cup day, I noticed swelling in my left arm and hand, and now have a sleeve and glove to wear. I am still receiving one or another type of treatment.
ABOUT ME
I studied teaching, and worked until my eldest child was born, when I stopped teaching, as I wanted to stay home. I breastfed our children for 15 years. The myth of breastfeed = no breast cancer flew with the wind for me.
When my youngest child was one I went back as a relief teacher. I do not do a lot of relief teaching now. I believe that now when I mention, “No, not today thanks because I am having this or that treatment,” the school secretary tends not to ring again for a number of days.
I do weekly meditation, and attend a weekly discussion group where most people have some form of cancer. They are great groups. I also attend a Know Your Bible group. I enjoy crochet, and have made tablecloths for several family members.
ABOUT MY FAMILY
I have 2 older brothers and a younger sister. I met my husband in 1980 when I was playing hockey and he was in the army. He returned to Townsville after his discharge, and we were married in 1982. We have 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys, and 2 grandchildren. Three of our children are still living at home, and one lives in Newcastle with her children. One child is in the army, and the other is studying teaching.
What can friends do to help?
If you want to help, ask what would be helpful. Practical tasks – shopping, ironing, mowing the lawn, making a meal, walking the dog, hanging the washing – are often the ones that take the effort, energy or time that someone who is having treatment doesn’t have.