‘Will my daughter even remember me?’ How a four-year-old gave this Canberra mum the strength to fight cancer
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In Australia, almost one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85 – as we approach EOFY, there’s never been a better time to donate to help Cancer Council ACT.
“Will my daughter even remember me?” When Canberra local Christina was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, that was the only thought that broke through the initial shock.
She had lost her own mother to uterine cancer when she was just 19. And as she gazed at her four-year old, she couldn’t help but picture a future where B would grow up without her.
“B was so young, she didn’t fully understand what was going on,” says Christina.
“Because of her I kept on embracing life as normally as I could to make it okay for her. She was the reason I kept going.”
But keeping things “normal” was an uphill battle. The weeks following Christina’s diagnosis felt endless.
Originally putting the subtle change in her breast down to breastfeeding, her life suddenly turned upside-down as she underwent 30 rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, a double mastectomy, lymph node clearance, and ongoing hormone treatment.
Later she also underwent a DIEP flap reconstruction – but Christina says it was the things people don’t talk about that impacted her the most.
“There were the things everyone talks about – the hair loss, the fatigue – but also the things you don’t see in movies,” she explains.
“Mouth sores, gut issues, constant appointments, and even now, the smell of cleaning products can trigger a gag response because it reminds me of hospital.”
In Australia, almost one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. With research remaining critical to advance prevention, detection and treatment, it’s organisations like Cancer Council ACT that make a true difference to people like Christina.
Along with raising money for research to advance cancer knowledge and care, Cancer Council ACT also recognises that cancer care extends far beyond what happens in a laboratory or treatment room. That’s why they offer free practical and emotional support services – ranging from wig and/or headwear for people experiencing hair loss, to the ENHANCE Wellbeing Program, Cancer Counselling, and the Cancer Liaison Service.
During her own treatment, Christina reached out to Cancer Council ACT and found their support invaluable.
“The Cancer Council services were so helpful,” she says.
“They helped my mum a lot when she was going through it over 20 years ago… they’re such an amazing organisation that has done so much for the community for a really long time.”
Using the 13 11 20 Information and Support line as well as cancer information resources and the wig service, Cancer Council ACT helped Christina and her family through all the emotional, practical, financial and physical challenges she faced both during and after her treatment.
With around two-thirds of Cancer Council ACT’s funding coming from community support, it was thanks to the kindness and generosity of the local community that the not-for-profit organisation could provide her with the support she needed.
Every dollar raised in the ACT stays in the ACT to support families just like Christina’s.
Just $25 can help fund a conversation with one of the specialised Supportive Care Team members, while $50 can help fund world-class ACT-based research that saves lives. Donating $120 helps ensure that the ENHANCE Wellbeing Program remains free of charge, and $205 can help Canberrans facing hair loss regain confidence and comfort with a wig or hat.
Almost three years after her diagnosis, Christina says that she has never felt better.
Focusing on her health and wellbeing by doing strength training five days a week and walking more than 10,000 steps a day, it was her daughter who gave her strength during her diagnosis, while Cancer Council ACT helped her get to the other side.
“I feel like a new person – stronger and more confident than ever before,” says Christina.
With the 30 June deadline approaching, there is still time to make a tax-deductible gift that will directly change lives right here in our community. Because together, it’s all of us against cancer. Donate to the Cancer Council ACT here. If you or someone you love needs support, please get in touch with the Cancer Council ACT team on 13 11 20.
