She was training to run in a 42 kilometre marathon in New York, fit, healthy and full of life… breast cancer was the furthest thing on Yela Wilson’s mind.
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But after finding a lump and then seeking medical advice, the shocking reality soon set in that it was happening to her.
The Scone mother of two is one of thousands of women in this country that are bombarded with the cruel illness that kills many and changes the lives of all.
Mrs Wilson willingly shared her story with The Scone Advocate to help raise awareness of breast cancer during this year’s campaign focused on Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
It was in June last year that the 47-year-old active woman was diagnosed with breast cancer after she discovered an abnormality in one of her breasts.
Being guilty of not regularly checking her breasts and not a regular mammogram checker (as she thought she didn’t need to until she turned 50), Mrs Wilson just happened to check.
As she had breastfed her two sons and lumps were not unusual, she initially wasn’t alarmed and the following month she couldn’t feel the same abnormalities.
However, the next month, three months later, she felt it again and went to the doctors.
A mammogram and biopsy followed before the gruelling five day wait for results that revealed she had invasive breast cancer.
Although Mrs Wilson’s older sister had breast cancer about 12 years ago, they are the only two among their large extended family of females that have been struck.
Mrs Wilson said it was the last thing she expected.
“I do all the right things for my body - I’m fit, healthy, I’m even a vegetarian and this happens.
“Cancer certainly doesn’t discriminate,” she said.
Following numerous doctor’s appointments, more rigorous testing and scans, the plan was to remove the cancer with a lumpectomy.
The next period was a challenging one as the first surgery to remove the lumps and lymph nodes was unsuccessful, resulting in the need with another surgery, which was again unsuccessful.
Due to the size of the cancer being much larger than the doctors originally thought, the only other option was to have a mastectomy.
Fortunately the lump hadn’t spread to any lymph nodes, so the mastectomy was followed by four rounds of chemotherapy every three weeks and then ongoing hormone treatment.
Mrs Wilson said the chemotherapy was the worst thing in the world.
“I used a cold cap during treatment so I didn’t lose all my hair, but it was an awful experience however I just had to persevere with it.
“The chemotherapy was horrendous, there were days where I couldn’t even get out of bed,” she said.
The woman is a tower of strength and maintained walking and yoga, and is fortunate to have been supported well by her employees at Flight Centre.
Mrs Wilson’s treatment journey only came to an end last month, following a double mastectomy in February, just to be sure into the future.
She said she has pretty much got the all clear now and she is back running and feeling good, hoping to do the marathon next year.
“I’ve always been a pretty positive person and I thought I would be okay as I’m fit, healthy and look after myself.
“You never think it is going to happen to you, but it can happen to anyone,” she said.
“I urge all women to start having mammograms as soon as they turn 40, check yourself and if you notice any abnormalities it doesn’t matter how small, go and see a doctor and demand checks.”
Clearly Mrs Wilson is quite open about her health and she believes talking about it is her way of dealing with it.
“Cancer shouldn’t be something people don’t talk about, one in eight women get it so someone you know has more than likely suffered.
“It’s going to happen to someone you know, you just never know who or when.
“Get to know your breasts and know what is normal,” Mrs Wilson said.
“One big thing my husband Phil and I found was that the support in Scone has been fantastic.
“The school was incredible, our friends were unbelievable and having not lived in Scone for long, the community was exceptional,” she said.
“The breast care nurses are also incredible, but there are none up here.
“We definitely need one in this area to care for women in the Scone, Muswellbrook and Singleton areas.”
She said she also found the Breast Cancer Network was amazing, providing information packs and support.