IT was six years and one day after her first breast cancer diagnosis that Cooroibah local Chris Johnstone was diagnosed once again.
It was with thanks to a nurse at Breast Screen who picked up a small dimple on Chris’s breast during the scan and recommended she see a doctor.
“It was so small I failed to notice it,” Chris said. “I am so grateful to her for being observant and acting on it.”
Chris went to Breast Screen Nambour for an ultrasound and biopsy but said being diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time was devastating.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer again after six years of being clear,” she said. “I had difficulty informing my family again that a lump had been found in my right breast.”
Chris travelled to Brisbane for surgery as the doctor who had operated on her during her first diagnosis while in Sydney was now operating in Brisbane.
“How lucky was I he was still operating,” she said. “He was surprised to see me again after so many years.”
Scans revealed Chris would need a mastectomy, which would see her spend three days in hospital heading home a little battered but “happy to be cancer free”, but sadly, at the post-operation appointment the surgeon delivered bad news for Chris and her family.
“The surgeon gave me some news that was totally unexpected,” Chris said.
“The tumour was larger and more aggressive than last time. It was an invasive lobular carcinoma which is not able to be detected by a mammogram.
“I needed to have four rounds of chemotherapy three weeks apart. I was in shock. What was supposed to be a simple surgery and recovery meant I now had to refocus on something I had not even thought about.”
Chris said despite the news, she tried to remain positive during her chemotherapy treatments, telling the chemo to “go do your job and find the cancer cells and get rid of them”.
“The first round of chemo didn’t go as planned,” she said. “I lost all of my white blood cells to fight infection and ended up in intensive care for a week, but the Noosa ICU staff gave excellent love and care.”
The following two chemotherapy treatments went well for Chris and she is now living her life cancer free, using her time to encourage others to check their breasts.
Chris, along with other breast cancer survivors, meet every Wednesday morning at Boardwalk Boat Hire to jump on a paddle board and spend time connecting as a group.
“We’re like a team,” she said.
“We can talk about what we’re going through or have been through, but it’s also a lot of fun and great for the exercise.
“I now also enjoy walking along the river with a walking group and aqua aerobics that supports survivors as well.”
Chris will put on her pink this Sunday and join the Paddle in Pink to celebrate being cancer free.
