My Journey Through Breast Cancer
By Diane McCormack
Hello, my name is Diane McCormack, I am 52 years old and live in Manurewa, Auckland. I’ve been married to my wonderful, supportive husband, Grant, for the past 32 years. We have 2 adult children, Hayley 29, who presently lives in the UK with her partner and Kurt 26, who with his partner have produced our first grandchild.
I first noticed a lump near the top of my left breast in May 2005 and went to see my GP who said it was probably a blocked milk duct; but suggested I have a mammogram. After a couple of weeks the lump had disappeared so I didn’t bother with the mammogram. I had only had one less than a year previously which was all clear.
By early August, another lump had appeared lower down on my breast and had become rather large and painful quite quickly. I didn’t hesitate in booking in this time for a mammogram and ultrasound. The radiographer thought it was a fibrocystic cyst. I made an appointment at St Mark’s and saw Dr Karen Parker. At first she thought I had an infection, but after having a core biopsy the news was not good.
Hearing those words ‘Breast Cancer’ was absolutely devastating. I felt my world had been turned upside down! Believe me, that’s the kind of news no-one can prepare you for. There is no breast cancer on my side of the family. Grant however, has lost his mother and 2 of his 3 sisters to this terrible disease.
Loving support from family, friends & work colleagues helped me through the next couple of weeks which were absolute turmoil. Appointments with the breast surgeon and oncologist, followed by an x-ray, scan and bone scan. Everything happened very quickly. I was to have a mastectomy, but as the lump had become even larger, I started immediately on 4 treatments of chemotherapy to hopefully reduce its size before my surgery in November 2005. More chemotherapy and radiation was to follow my surgery.
After the surgery the diagnosis came back that I was Her2 positive, which meant I was a prime candidate for Herceptin. At this time, Grant and I were unaware of what this actually meant. Once we saw the oncologist and were advised of the costs involved, we thought “…well that’s okay, our medical insurance will cover that, just like it had covered the chemo”. How wrong we were!!!
On approaching Tower Insurance, we were informed “…we can’t help you, the drug is not on PHARMAC’s list, so we wont cover it”, what a kick in the guts! As if it’s not bad enough having breast cancer, you have the extra stress of trying to find the $100,000 you need for what you are told is your best chance of being a breast cancer survivor - Herceptin.
Having chemo was a terrible experience. The first week after the treatment I felt like death warmed up, the next week I’d start to feel a little better and by the third week would be back to normal (as normal as you could be under the circumstances), then the cycle would start again. During this time I worked when I could and am convinced this kept me sane. Compared to chemo having Herceptin was ‘a breeze’! No aches, pains or side-effects – life just carried on. Every 3 weeks a quick visit to oncology, have the treatment then off again til the next time. Piece of cake!
In March 2007, I joined with Chris Walsh becoming one of the 8 members of the Herceptin Heroines involved in the Judicial Review against PHARMAC. This has been an experience in itself – a fight not only for ourselves, but for all New Zealand women.
I am 3 years down the track and life is pretty damn good! My visits to oncology are now 6 monthly with very pleasing reports each time from my oncologist. Just recently having my reconstruction has made me feel ‘whole again’. I have been very positive throughout my journey and will remain so. Life is for living and I have a lot more to do!
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