HAVING survived two cancers and having gone through a double mastectomy, Susie Alexander wants to help other women facing breast cancer.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Ms Alexander, who moved to Thornlands from Warrnambool, Victoria about 18 months ago, is a community liaison volunteer for Breast Cancer Network Australia.
After attending the organisation’s National Summit in March, she was inspired to facilitate a Breast Cancer Support Group.
The 52-year-old was a nurse for 28 years and is married to a paediatrician.
With a history of cancer on the matriarchal side of her family, she got a lump in her breast tested the day she found it in June 2013.
Three days later Ms Alexander had the breast removed, together with 32 nodes under her armpit.
Doctors found she had ductal and lobular cancers in her breast and Ms Alexander decided to have the other breast removed.
Ms Alexander said it was difficult to express her feelings about everything she went through, especially as her mother had also been diagnosed with cancer.
“My life was to become a whirlwind of appointments and tests,” she said.
“My shock was overwhelming and made me somewhat numb.”
Ms Alexander said after her diagnosis she referred many times to helpful information provided by BCNA and attended the organisation’s forums when her health improved.
The support group she has started is for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, their carers, family members and friends.
Ms Alexander said the group would also be open to people who had other cancers.
The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 23 at the Lions Club hall, 122 Shore Street West, Cleveland from 7.30pm to 9pm.
Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be provided.
For information, phone Susie Alexander on 0418 369 925.
