Inspiring survival stories

Are you or someone you know fighting breast cancer? Or perhaps you're a survivor yourself? Either way, you'll want to read these women's extremely inspiring stories of survival...

Lisa Finocchiaro's story

Deciding how to celebrate my 40th birthday I was faced with an intriguing choice – do I have a pedicure or do I have a mammogram? Beautiful, relaxing and pampered, or uncomfortable, half naked, squashed boobies? Now, I like an adventure as much as anyone so I chose mammogram (my first one ever). And why wouldn’t you?! Yes, for the sheer thrill of the experience, but also because my GP had recommended it.

To be honest, it was a very easy decision to make.  Seventeen years prior I had watched helplessly as my mother lost her three-year battle with cancer...So when my diagnosis of intraduct apocrine carcinoma was confirmed, I lost count of the questions that filled my head…Mum’s battle with cancer suddenly became raw and real all over again. I was really scared. But I didn’t want to panic. I reminded myself that I am not Mum. My situation is totally different. I wanted to take one step at a time and to not worry about scenarios that may never happen...

As the day of the first surgery approached, my then four year old son asked “Why you going to hosti-bull, Mummy?” What do I say? I had to tell them something. I couldn’t just wave away their questions and ignore them. It was important to me that I give my three young boys some sort of explanation. Click here to read more of Lisa’s story…

Yvette Luciano's story

My treatment was the challenge of a lifetime. As a 29 year-old who had never even been in hospital before, a whole year of surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and ongoing scans and follow-ups was intense. My hospital became my 2nd home and I spent more time with my oncologists and nurses than my friends. After finding the lump on my honeymoon, my new husband immediately became my carer - not quite the hot first year of marriage we all hope for.

Like a lot of young people facing cancer, I delved deeply into the spiritual world. I also found other cancer thrivers around the world and visualised myself becoming one of them. In my darkest days though, my husband and my family were my focus. They have consistently remained positive which really helped, I refused to let them down.

I was also really inspired by my belief that everything happens for a reason, and that I would use my experience as a positive for other young women. That's why I studied holistic health coaching and what inspires me now to coach others through their treatments and to become thrivers. Click here to read more of Yvette’s story…

Want to find out more about Yvette's experience or chat to her yourself? She'll be joining us for a live forum chat on Tuesday 16th October from 6.30pm, so make sure you mark the date in your diary! Click here to go to the thread where the forum chat will be taking place...

Tracy Bald's story

I was one of the lucky ones I believe, in that I was fortunate enough not to be struck down with any really bad side effects while going through my treatment. I became tired towards the end of my chemotherapy as it overlapped with my radiotherapy. For me personally the loss of my hair was the worst side effect of my treatment.

My two young children (James 3, Luke 5 months) and my very loving husband kept me fighting....right from the start. I was determined to see my children grow up and I felt that I had years of giving my husband grief. I also tried to focus in on all the people that survived from breast cancer as opposed to those who unfortunately lose their battle...

It would be great for me to think that no one should have to follow in my footsteps and tread their own breast cancer journey, but the reality of life is that at this point in time there has been no cure or prevention for breast cancer yet. Click here to read more of Tracy’s story…

Want to find out more about Tracy's experience or chat to her yourself? She'll be joining us for a live forum chat from 6.30pm, so make sure you mark the date in your diary! Click here to go to the thread where the forum chat will be taking place...

Melissa Hann's story

I knew from the moment I was diagnosed that it was going to be a very tough year! It was devastating to be told I had Breast Cancer. I never thought that I would get sick in my life. As hard as it is, you just have to deal with it, as it becomes part of your life. Going to visit doctors, having weekly blood tests and chemo just becomes routine.

What kept me going was the fact that I knew that the horrible feeling of being sick would eventually be over. I wanted to get better to be able to help other young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer and raise awareness that it can happen to anyone.

Research is very important to me, as breast cancer is not a single disease. There are many different forms all requiring different regime of treatment.
Support from the funding of sales of Dove pink products helps to accelerate the progress in the fight against breast a cancer. Because without funding there is no research and research is the only way to help find a cure for this nasty disease. Click here to read more of Melissa’s story…

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month so head into Woolworths and purchase some Dove Pink products today. Check out our video for a bit of pink-spiration...

How did you feel reading these four amazing stories? Have you or anyone you know survived breast cancer? Or are you or someone you know going through it now? We'd love to hear from you, so feel free to share your words of wisdom, inspiration and hope right here.

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