It was the Easter Monday, the 21st April 2025 that I discovered the lump. Shaun had already been in the hospital for 5 months at this point but it had become our norm. Yes life was mad and hectic between work, the kids and visiting Shaun but we were all doing ok and Shaun had coming through the worst of his illness - there was a light at the end of the tunnel and it was getting brighter everyday. But then I found that lump and it just went dark.
I saw my GP the next day, and I was referred to BreastCare. My appointment was on the 5th May and it was the longest 2 weeks of my life! The team at BreastCare were just amazing, they did the mammogram and ultrasound and then they told me I needed a biopsy. They said they could do it in the next hour, that was my first clue it wasn’t great news. They said the biopsy results would take a week and that I also needed a MRI and a PET scan, but asked me to come back that afternoon to speak to the surgeon, that was my second clue. I had to wait about 4 hours, Kirsten took the day off to come with me, we went and played pool as a distraction, it helped a little, her being with me helped more. Of course it would be about a week later before I got the official results, but that afternoon the surgeon said she’d be surprised if it “wasn’t” breast cancer - of course, it was. It was a Triple Negative Cancer, and was in my lymph nodes too.
The real fight started that day and honestly the hardest part was telling my kids, especially as I had to tell them by myself. Chloe and Jacob just cried, and poor Caleb was just confused. He apologised to me for not crying like Chloe and Jacob but said he just didn’t understand. They asked me if I was going to die, that cut deep, never a question you expect to hear from your kids. But we had a very honest chat, I said it was going to be hard at times but we were all tough and we could beat this. Then we all cried a little more and then we just sat together on the couch and hugged.
Next up was telling my sick husband and the doctors and nurses at the hospital were so wonderful and supportive. One of the consultants came in especially to support me when telling Shaun, she was amazing.
One of the things that really makes me proud during this whole journey was just how well my kids handled it. They asked questions when they needed to, they gave hugs just because, and they were so strong and really stepped up when I needed them too. To deal with not one, but both parents being so unwell at the same time, and to come out the other end smiling and happy is just testament to what amazingly brave and strong kids they are.
My friends and family were just fabulous. From the day I told everyone I had someone here with me, helping, supporting and being that rock for me especially as Shaun was still in Hospital. From taking me to treatments to spending time with me in the hospital, to looking after my kids, cooking dinners, fixing and building 100 things around my house, and just being with me, I can’t thank everyone enough.
Now fast forward a year, and my chemo is done, my surgery is done, my radiation is done and I am half way through the post immunotherapy treatment. And I’ve had a complete pathological response. It was the best result ever! It was a very happy day! And Shaun is back at 100% health as well. Finally life is back to normal in the Sellwood household and it is time to put it all behind us and look forward to the future, but I won’t forget, and what better way that to celebrate together for the Pink Ribbon breakfast (or in this case a ladies night) and raise some money for the Breast Cancer Foundation.
You are a strong and courageous woman Danielle! Love to support you in raising funds for change