Life after breast cancer

Franklin Roosevelt said: ‘When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.’ Three survivors tell Kim Dalli about hanging on and climbing back up.

Carmen Hassanien, 36

Photos: Darrin Zammit Lupi

I always used to appreciate life but now I feel so much more alive and carefree. My ex­perience helped slide things into perspective.

I was abroad on work last summer when I noticed that half my left breast felt very hard to the touch. My nipple was inverted and my breast ached.

My GP told me that it was probably an infection but I insisted upon having an ultrasound. Somehow, despite my young age, I instinctively felt it was cancer.

The ultrasound was followed with a biopsy – I then waited for three nerve-wracking days. Half my brain was telling me, “perhaps it’s just an infection” while the other half whispered, “Carmen, prepare yourself.”

The doctor was trembling when he broke the news – I ended up calming him myself. I went through chemotherapy, radiology and, finally, a mastectomy.

One of the hardest parts was seeing my long hair drop off my head in large clumps. I couldn’t take it so I cropped it off and bought five wigs, one of which I’ve just donated. On the plus side, I no longer needed to shave my body!

Last February, I was given the all-clear – it was pure euphoria, better than winning any million-euro jackpot. It was the only time my sister cried.

I was blessed to have a sister and aunts who were my pillars of support. I’m infinitely grateful to my directors at work, who kept my job and my salary during those six gruelling months.

It’s hard to feel beautiful when you feel as if you’re wasting away but I urge women to get out of bed, put on a slick of makeup and make an effort to socialise so they won’t find it hard to re-integrate into society.

What I went through keeps me going. Within a few weeks I’ll be getting my first tattoo – a pink ribbon with the word “survivor” inscribed beneath it.

Fleur Marie Cilia Buckett, 42

Cancer has left its harrowing mark on my family since I was still young. I lost my mother to breast cancer in 1988.

My sister, Michelle, has been battling colon, throat and lung cancer for 10 years. And I use the word ‘battle’ in the literal sense of the word.

In fact, I call her my warrior princess – she’s such an inspiration, her will to fight and live is an incredible thing to witness.

I noticed a lump in my breast, but upon having it examined I was told that it was an inflamed gland. I emigrated to the UK in 2009 and, while I was visiting Malta in October, I experienced pain. I was told I had breast cancer on Christmas Eve 2009.

I underwent radiotherapy for three whole months. Yet I think of myself as a lucky girl – I didn’t need to have chemotherapy or a mastectomy to have it cleared.

However, it’s not just the treatment – many other factors take their toll. There are the needles, the tension and stress and the side effects of the medication.

However, through breast cancer, I’ve made new friends through Facebook. I don’t work as I was my sister’s carer for many years.

However, many people got in touch with me to help me out. I was overwhelmed – there are truly honest, genuine people out there.

My motto is “PMA positive mental attitude. I’m blessed to have a strong support network – my boyfriend is wonderful. Having support from family and close friends is vital – I cannot stress its importance enough.

Doris Fenech, 54

I work as a nurse so, in a way, I felt I had an advantage over other sufferers because I knew exactly what would happen when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I was first diagnosed when I was 37 – my second daughter was just two years old. I underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy and I also had to have my ovaries removed as the cancer was being fuelled by the hormones my ovaries were producing.

In 2010, I decided to go for breast reconstruction. Unfortunately, my body rejected the prosthesis so I had to have it removed.

I’m constantly on the go and I decided to read for a degree in mental health nursing. I was in the process of writing my thesis in 2008 when I developed cancer, this time in my breastbone. I underwent radiotherapy again and was given the all clear.

It had been my greatest wish to work in the breast clinic – and recently, I have achieved my dream.

Some were sceptical that I would be too emotional but I proved myself to be an efficient yet understanding nurse.

Last year, the cancer returned. My last test showed that it has increased.

However, I’m determined to keep fighting it. As the vice-president of Europa Donna, I’ve travelled to various countries to attend a number of conferences. I intend to keep travelling.

By speaking about my experience, I hope to raise awareness, give people courage and make professionals aware of what patients truly desire.

Fashionable fundraising

These three women and seven other breast cancer survivors will be modelling in a fashion show organised by Europa Donna Breast Care Support Group.

The show, Look Good, Feel Good, will be held at the Coastline Hotel in St Paul’s Bay on Saturday at 7.30 pm.

Tickets cost €25 and money will go towards the support group.

For more information call 9999 4666 or e-mail info@europadonnamalta.org.mt.

Five young men will also be participating in the fashion show: Steven Ross Galea, 24, Shan Francois Hussain, 20, Sean Cutajar, 23, Gabriel Felice, 23, and Timothy Borg, 27, pictured left to right with their trainer, Gregory Attard, on the far left.

In August, the five will be heading to France to scale Mont Blanc and raise funds for Europa Donna and Action for Breast Cancer Foundation.