S. K. Reid - A Year of Medical Thinking

A YEAR OF MEDICAL THINKING

S. K. REID

A Year of Medical Thinking

by S.K. Reid

Published in 2014 by Jane Curry Publishing

[Wentworth Concepts Pty Ltd]

PO Box 780 Edgecliff NSW 2027 Australia

www.janecurrypublishing.com.au

Copyright 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any other information storage retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry:

Author: S.K. Reid

Title: A Year of Medical Thinking

Front cover photographs: Shutterstock

Back cover photograph: Shutterstock

Internal design: Working Type

Editorial: Catherine McCredie

Production: Jasmine Standfield

Please note: Some of the names have been changed to protect peoples privacy.

For Dad

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T hanks to the many wonderful people who shared this journey with me in bringing this book to life.

Thanks to Sharon for your camaraderie, and to Shannon for courageously sharing your story. You are both such inspirational women.

A big thanks to all the team at JCP, including Jane Curry for believing in the work; to Jasmine Standfield for her patience and unwavering stewardship; and to Catherine McCredie for her keen guidance and inspired editing.

A warm appreciation to Paul Cox for generously braving and supporting the manuscript, and my heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses and medical staff at Peter Mac who help make life possible.

Finally, thanks to Troy and my wonderful mum for being there, and to my beloved dad. You were my mentor, my teacher, and my inspiration. A true warrior, you will always be my hero and will be forever in my heart.

FOREWORD

T he breast cancer journey is an emotional and physical roller coaster and a breast cancer diagnosis can bring a range of unexpected emotions. Uncertainty and fear for the future, changes in personal and family relationships, a sense of isolation these are just some of the normal feelings that may be felt when one is diagnosed. For others, a breast cancer diagnosis may bring financial hardship. Many patients want access to information about their diagnosis and the treatment options.

It was these feelings that led me as Chair of The Foundation and Founder of The Living Centre, to set Think Pink on its course today.

I am a two-time breast cancer survivor and during my second brush with breast cancer in 2003, I underwent daily radiotherapy for six weeks at the William Buckland Radiotherapy Centre at Melbournes Alfred Hospital. There I came into contact with many women who were, due to their breast cancer, finding it difficult to hold down jobs and make ends meet financially. At Think Pink, we refer to these circumstances as cancer induced poverty.

It was obvious to me that these patients needed immediate assistance, so I suggested to the then Committee that Think Pink change its focus from funding breast cancer research to funding projects providing direct financial, emotional and physical support to patients.

In September 2006, Think Pink became an independent Charitable Foundation. Within a short time, the Foundation raised sufficient funds to establish its own unique state-of-theart, independent and non-clinical wellness facility called The Living Centre. The Centre was officially opened by The Minister of Health for Victoria, The Hon Daniel Andrews MP on 9th September, 2010 and the Foundation has plans underway to establish Living Centres across Australia in the coming years.

Since 2010, through its unique and innovative program of activities and services, The Living Centre has proudly supported hundreds of breast cancer patients from right across Victoria like Sasha and Sharon. The Living Centre provides professional and caring, practical support completely free of charge to patients, their families and carers at any stage of their journey with breast cancer.

Just as The Living Centre is a haven of comfort and support for breast cancer patients and their families, S.K. Reids A Year of Medical Thinking provides a beacon of light to those newly diagnosed with cancer or who face life-challenging situations. At times dark, this tale of one womans journey captures the emotional rollercoaster of a breast cancer diagnosis. Ultimately a tale of hope and courage that holds universal appeal, A Year of Medical Thinking speaks to all who may find their lives touched by cancer.

Irene Hendel

Chair of The Think Pink Foundation &

Founder of The Living Centre

CONTENTS