About Selinas Breast Cancer

Information about Selina's Breast Cancer

A message from Selina-
"During February of 2008, I noticed some changes to my body, and after a number of tests and visits to doctors I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. I wanted to make this public both to explain some changes and slow down of my business that this will cause, and also to help spread awareness of this disease. I will try to keep this page up to date with my recovery news. Thanks to everyone for their support and understanding through this time. This is a life changing thing to happen to me, but I also know that people suffer from much worse every day. But life isn't about what bad might happen, it's about living, loving, and laughing through the bad times and treating every day as precious. 
Love and Magic,
Selina"

Selina's Journey and Treatment Updates-

Selina was diagnosed with early breast cancer on the 25th of February, approximately three weeks after first noticing symptoms of pain and a distinct lump and undergoing tests.

She had the tumour removed in breast conserving surgery on the 11th of March. The surgery went as well as could be hoped and Selina is already recovering very quickly.

After surgery pathology confirmed no cancer cells found in Selina's lymph nodes or the tissue margin from surgery, meaning it is unlikely the cancer will have spread at all, and was caught just in time. However, the cancer was tested as a Grade 3, being a more aggresive form, and doctors recommended a series of treatments to make sure Selina remains cancer free.

Following surgery, Selina underwent fertility conservation treatment, followed by six three week cycles of TAC chemotherapy, and then thirty radiotherapy treatments which overall took from March until October of 2008. It was a hard time as these treatments had many physical and emotional side effects, but was the best way to make sure Selina lives a long and with the best chance of cancer not returning, so she can keep painting for as long as possible!

Selina has completed her last chemotherapy treatment as of 22nd August! Over the course of her treatment, Selina lost nearly all body hair and experienced the usual nausea assosciated with chemotherapy as well as many other side affects, but overall tolerated the treatment remarkably well.

Selina completed her radation treatment, or radiotherapy as of 31st October 2008. With all scheduled treatments now complete, Selina is on the slow path to recovery. Her body and spirit has taken a great beating, with many side affects of the treatments expected to take months to fade away, but she is now looking forward to getting back to a better kind of normal!

Selina would like to thank everyone who has kept her in their thoughts and passed on kind wishes during this time, it has meant the world to her and gotten her through many hard times.

Awareness and Information on Breast Cancer-

Selina is hugely grateful for the Australian free health care system and how quickly and easily this has been dealt with, and the care and professionalism of all doctors she has dealt with so far in her journey (there have been a lot!).

She also wishes to spread awareness of this disease to help others understand it and if needed also benefit from early detection. Selina has no known risk factors such as family history of breast cancer, and is much younger than the normal age for breast cancer cases. It just goes to show this can happen to anyone.Statistically as many as 1 in 8 women will have breast cancer during their lives. All women over 20 years old, and even younger, should perform regular self examinations. If you're unsure how, ask your doctor, or find an online tutorial (eg http://cms.komen.org/komen/AboutBreastCancer/Resources/InteractiveTools/BreastSelf-Exam/index.htm)

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