Joanne Lund not only survived breast cancer but has gone on to help other women affected by the disease. She shares her story.
When were you first diagnosed and how – self exam, mammogram etc. How did you feel?
I was diagnosed in New Zealand in May 2008. I was 46 and had received an invite for a free mammogram, part of a screening programme. I had a recall as they had found something suspicious on the mammogram but I wasn’t afraid as I had no symptoms. They performed an ultrasound guided core biopsy which showed that it was cancer.
The tumour was a very aggressive grade three but thankfully, at 13mm, was quite small. As it was deep inside the lower breast it was not palpable, so I was unable to detect it by self-examination. I was diagnosed with ER/PR Positive infiltrating ductal carcinoma.
I was shell shocked and in disbelief. I didn’t feel ill and I couldn’t feel the lump… so how could I have cancer? That moment is still frozen in time for me and was one of the worst days of my life. It wasn’t until we left the clinic that I actually broke down crying. I felt as if there was something foreign in my body and I wanted it gone. My husband – who had attended the clinic with me – reassured me that everything was going to be ok; he was my rock.
How did you deal with it; telling family, kids etc?
Our first priority was to identify what we needed to do, who we should contact medically and who to seek advice from. My husband rang my family overseas to tell them the news, as I was too upset. My son was 10 years old at the time, so, we decided that we would sit him down and tell him gently that I had a lump in the breast that had to be removed. We didn’t want to hide anything from him, as children are very perceptive. However, we didn’t mention the word cancer.
What came next and has the cancer had a lasting effect?
I had my lumpectomy 10 days after my diagnosis and then a course of radiotherapy. I was put on a hormone therapy drug called Tamoxifen, which I took for 10 years to prevent the breast cancer from coming back. I have been clear for 11 years and four months!
For the first few years I thought about my breast cancer daily. It was hard to forget it as it was such a rollercoaster ride (and still is every time I attend my annual check-up!). But finally, there came a time that I realised I hadn’t thought about breast cancer for a whole day, then a week and then I knew I was healing.
Please tell us about your cancer support work in Bahrain.
The day after I received my last radiation treatment in New Zealand, I flew to Bahrain as my husband had just started a new job. Overnight my whole support network of friends and doctors had disappeared and I felt alone.
So, I reached out to a small group of wonderful ladies who had formed the Breast Cancer Support Group. We met weekly and during those first few meetings there were plenty of tears! I needed to let go of the emotion I was holding in and it felt so good to talk to other ladies who had been down a similar path to myself.
After the organiser left for Australia, I was adamant that the group should continue. Feeling eager to help and comfort other newly diagnosed ladies, I became the coordinator of the Bahrain Breast Cancer Support Group and set up a confidential WhatsApp group.
It’s made up of some amazingly supportive and inspirational survivors who offer tips on overcoming side effects of treatment, who pick you up when you’re feeling down. The aim is for ladies to know that we are here to listen without judgement, offer emotional support when you need it, help answer your questions and ultimately empower you.
We are so lucky to also have some trained therapists supporting the group. Tracey Burrows (a yoga and Ayurveda coach and wellness expert) dedicates her time every Monday morning to offer a wonderful ‘Relaxation and Healing Circle’ class in Saar. It’s a gentle movement class where she teaches us breathing techniques to ease anxiety plus meditations to calm the mind. This wonderful class is open to all ladies who need it and is free.
In 2017, Tracey and I set up the Bahrain Breast Cancer Support and Wellness Group Facebook page with inspirational quotes and information about breast cancer, wellness and events.
What would be your message to women in general and those facing a recent breast cancer diagnosis in particular?
My message to women is to remember that ‘early detection and treatment increases the chances of success and ultimately survival’. I want to shout this from the highest roof top! Therefore, it’s vital that you get your regular mammogram done as recommended by your doctor. Remember, I could not feel or see my lump. The mammogram saved my life! Also, self-check your breasts and armpits monthly, I can’t stress this enough.
If you feel any lump, have any discharge from the nipple, dimpling of the skin, a rash or change in appearance of the nipple, contact your doctor straight away. Most lumps are benign.
Think Pink has an excellent App for your phone called iCheck and it takes you through all the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and even a tutorial of how to check your breast correctly. Check it out!
If you do receive a breast cancer diagnosis, your aim should be to get a treatment plan in place as soon as possible. Take a family member or friend with you to your appointment for support. Often the information given is too much to take in when you are worried. Write a list of questions to ask your doctor, such as: ‘What side effects will I get from the treatment?’ and ’Is there anything I can do to help the treatment work better?’
Another thing to point out is the importance, certainly for expats, of health insurance. A friend was recently forced to return to her home country for treatment having discovered the cost of chemotherapy here would be tens of thousands of dinars.
How do you feel moving forward?
My life – and my family’s – was turned upside down when I first received my diagnosis and my life isn’t the same as it was before. My priorities changed and I remember writing a bucket list – afraid that I might not be able to accomplish it. Time seemed so much more precious and I felt gratitude like I have never done before.
I have found a greater appreciation for the little things in life, like the smell of the flowers in my garden, the sounds of the birds and, especially, dancing to music at my NIA class – this is my ‘therapy’. I don’t take things for granted. I try to live life to the full and love to plan holidays.
I have learnt to say no and put myself first more than I ever used to. And I surround myself with positive people. I try to make healthy choices, exercise five times a week, meditate and practise breathing techniques which helps me in times of stress.
I have learnt that life is precious and I have found an inner strength that I never knew existed before cancer. I am happy with the ‘new’ me and try to live each day with intention and a smile on my face!
Treatment Tips
The radiotherapy left my skin red and quite raw; it felt sunburnt. I was advised to use a gentle unperfumed cleanser (organic if possible and paraben free) to avoid irritating the skin further. I bought a pure (98 per cent) aloe vera gel too, which I applied to the sore areas to soothe my skin. I avoided swimming pools and any extremes of temperature and always wore cotton next to my skin.
Luckily the side effects lasted just a couple of weeks. I do have some thickening of the skin on the side which received radiotherapy. My body tolerated Tamoxifen well, although I did have some mild aches and pains and hot flushes. I kept a cold flannel in a small cool box beside my bed to apply to my forehead when I felt a hot flush occurring. I also bought a small hand fan which I took everywhere and was even seen with my hands in an ice bucket to try and cool myself down!
Please reach out to Joanne if you need any further information about the Bahrain Breast Cancer Support Group: 39 567-322.
