Clancy Follett was 38 years old and trying for a baby when she found a lump in her breast.
“I have a family history of breast cancer so I regularly checked for lumps. An ultrasound didn’t show anything so I left it for a few months until it had grown and become quite painful,” Clancy said.
“I was referred to Dr Jason Lambley at Mater Private Hospital Redland and he immediately sent me for a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy.”
Sadly, the news was not positive.
Dr Lambley performed a lumpectomy and later removed Clancy’s lymph nodes. Six cycles of chemotherapy were followed by six weeks of radiation.
“I remember saying to Dr Lambley that I hadn’t had children yet. I figured I would have breast cancer one day, I just didn’t think it would be at this age,” Clancy said.
“Not being able to have children was one of the biggest challenges I had to face as well as memory loss.
“My mind has turned to a mush and I can’t seem to multitask anymore.
“Halfway through going to get something I can't remember what it was I was going to do!” she laughed.
“There was also the weight gain, stiffness and aching joints, menopausal symptoms and dealing with the change of pace from being a go-getter Prep teacher to staying at home and going for medical visits.”
“chicks in pink were fantastic; they helped me out by organising some free pilates classes and enabled me to start up the Creative Express Art Group as an outlet for breast cancer patients at Mater Private Hospital Redland.”
Now, almost two years on since her diagnosis, Clancy continues to have regular checkups and takes daily medication. She has also returned to work three days a week.