Dear Family and Friends

Please help me RAISE much needed funds for a worthy charity - Cancer Support WA.  Cancer support WA helps individuals and families dealing with cancer by providing vital support services. Please show your support by sponsoring my portrait.


My Story

Firstly …….. Never miss a mammogram appointment.

I had missed my scheduled appointment.  It was my daughter that made me book another.  It was that appointment that changed my life.  It was February, 12 and a half years ago.
 

The next 10 days were the fastest 10 days of my life. Even as I put this to paper I can remember everyday  and every moment of those 10 days.  Mammogram one day, the phone call the next day, RPH, Specialist  appointment and then the operation 7 days later.  

I was 59 years old - a mother of 5 and a grandmother of 8.  It was a Friday when my daughter had received the call from Breast Screen WA. A call that you know is never good news. Two days later and I was at RPH for more tests.  I had arrived at 9am and spent the day there having tests, waiting for the results, more tests and waiting again. It was 4.30 pm when I finally left the hospital. My daughter was picking me up.

I remember getting into the car, my daughter asking me how it all went and letting her know I have breast cancer. It was very strange.  It was the first time I had actually said the words. My family did not take it very well but the strangest thing was that I was OK.  I guess I felt I had to be strong for them.

In hospital, I shared a room with a young girl of 34 years. She had had a mastectomy 4 years earlier and had come back in for a reconstruction. I remember thinking - 
it doesn't matter how old you are, anyone, anytime can get cancer.  Cancer has no age barrier and it doesn’t discriminate.

After my operation I had to go through Chemotherapy.  Something that everyone dreads and no one should endure - an evil necessity. Going through Chemo I knew I was going to lose my hair and with that the loss of my dignity, so I thought.  I had always wanted to be a red head and it was my children that had encouraged me to use this time to have fun and to try different  hair styles and even different  colours. Needless to say, I wasn't meant to be a red head.  

It was through Cancer Support WA that helped me get through the toughest 4 months of my life.  Through the help of other cancer patients, the support group and the volunteers, they helped me put everything into perspective.

I had my last chemotherapy session 2 days before my 60th birthday.  It has now been 12 ½ years since that terrible day, but it also has been a fantastic 12 ½ years and I hope to continue a happy and healthy life.

I hope to raise $200 for every year I have been cancer free.  Thank you for supporting my page and helping me raise money for this worthy Charity to continue their work and helping cancer patients and their families.

Thank you for your support,

Bernice Vallelonga