Michelle's story
When Michelle found a small lump in her breast, cancer was the furthest thing from her mind.
At 41, she was busy building her business and getting on with life. She was feeling stronger than she had in years.
“I was back exercising. I was probably feeling the best that I had felt in myself in a very long time,” she recalls. “I didn’t feel sick. I didn’t look sick. So there was no big concern.”
The lump was tiny, about the size of a pea. There was no pain, no family history of breast cancer and no obvious reason to suspect anything serious. Looking back, Michelle can see there were subtle changes, but at the time they seemed insignificant.
“I think it's an important part of my story that I did neglect raising it with my doctor,” she says. “I was too focused on other health issues at the time.”
Eventually she mentioned the lump during a routine appointment with her GP.
Within days, she was referred for a mammogram and ultrasound, then further testing.
The cancer diagnosis itself came as a shock to Michelle, then the details - doctors discovered 10 tumours spread across both breasts.
“The best way to describe it was like wildfire across my chest,” Michelle says. “There were little spot fires everywhere.”
When doctors recommended a bilateral mastectomy, she didn’t hesitate.
“It really wasn't a tough decision,” she says. “I wanted the best survival and outcome and the least chance of recurrence possible.”
The months that followed the surgery were intense. There was chemotherapy, radiation and ongoing hormone therapy and post surgical appointments. On top of the major physical changes, Michelle also had to manage the emotional toll of navigating cancer treatment while trying to continue everyday life.
She found comfort in the extraordinary care she received from her Mater team and the support of Mater Chicks in Pink.
“My experience with Mater was been phenomenal,” she says. “Everyone was always available to answer my questions and give me reassurance through the process. And every was always so kind.”
The support extended well beyond medical treatment.
For Michelle, Mater Chicks in Pink became an important source of practical and emotional support during some of her most challenging days.
“Everyone talks about the generosity of Mater Chicks in Pink,” she says. “The wig vouchers, the vouchers when you get your prosthesis and the parking support. Those things make such a difference when you're going through treatment.”
Michelle’s active treatment is behind her and she is focussing on the next chapter – life after cancer. For her, survivorship is about navigating the physical and emotional aftermath of treatment while embracing the possibilities ahead.
Today, Michelle looks to the future with gratitude. Grateful for the care she received, grateful for the support of her family and community, grateful for organisations like Chicks in Pink, and grateful that research continues to provide hope for improved outcomes for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
She’s also a passionate advocate for awareness and early detection:
“I didn't know at 40 years old that I could have a mammogram. Had I had the awareness to go at 40, potentially maybe something would've been different. That's been a driving force behind sharing my story.”
In Michelle's words
“I hope by sharing it, it allows women to feel more comfortable to talk about things. If my story helps even one person, then it's worth it.”
