Lisa McElwaine discovered a lump on her right breast in November 2019 — and while she didn’t seek immediate medical advice, when she spotted some blood in her bra two months later, she immediately called her GP.
After being admitted to the hospital for a triple exam (mammography, ultrasound and biopsy), she was diagnosed with stage 2, grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma and booked a lumpectomy.
Ms McElwaine was stunned by this turn of events but was keen to begin treatment and begin the road to recovery.
“I was indescribably shocked and physically unable to speak,” she said. “Thank God my husband Clyde is strong and practical and has been asking me all questions and advice about what lies ahead.
“I left the hospital in a daze and went home to tell my mom and dad and my only sister before we could even think about telling our kids Sean (now 23), Conor (20) and Ella (15). ) to tell.
Close
Lisa McElwaine at her home in Rathfarnham. Photo: Frank McGrath
Lisa McElwaine at her home in Rathfarnham. Photo: Frank McGrath
“Two weeks after the surgery (to remove the tumour) we went back to the doctor to get the results and were told the cancer had started to spread to my lymph nodes and I needed chemotherapy before the radiation. I would need six rounds of this every three weeks. I started this on April 3, 2020 and had to do it on my own (due to Covid restrictions). I cried all the way to the station, but I knew I had to put on my combat gloves for the good of my family.”
The 48-year-old Dubliner survived chemotherapy and then began 20 rounds of radiation before ending in September 2020 when she was told she was cancer-free.
Because her mother’s family had a history of the disease, she was recommended to undergo genetic testing. This revealed that she was positive for the BRCA-2 gene mutation. This news came after another terrible blow when her family had recently developed Covid and her father died in January 2021.
“Then the following week I received the results of my BRCA test to confirm that I was positive for the gene mutation – this has been another roller coaster ride and big decisions lay ahead for me and my family,” said Ms McElwain.
“It was the right thing for me to have both preventive surgeries done [full hysterectomy and double mastectomy] as soon as I could to reduce my risk of cancer coming back.
“I knew from everything I’ve been through that I have to give something back”
“I was recommended by a friend to enroll in the Marie Keating Foundation’s Survive and Thrive program.
“I was in a very bad place but my eyes were opened to a huge support network of people like me who all needed strength and encouragement from one another.
“After that I was introduced to Bernie Carter who runs the BRCA support program which I have joined – I have received so much support from this group.
“I shared my story at their virtual BRCA conference in 2021 and am now trained as a peer to peer supporter to go forward to help women and men who have little or no support here in Ireland.”
Close
“It feels like a death sentence at first, but once you deal with it all, it’s not so bad.” Photo: Stock/Getty Images
“It feels like a death sentence at first, but once you deal with it all, it’s not so bad.” Photo: Stock/Getty Images
Ms McElwaine advises anyone “who is unwell, finds a lump or sees changes in their body” to seek counseling as soon as possible. And she encourages anyone who has just found out they are BRCA positive to take advantage of any assistance that is offered.
“It feels like a death sentence at first, but once you get on top of things and start making life-changing decisions about preventive surgeries and surveillance, it’s not that bad,” she said.
“I knew from everything I’ve been through that I had to give back and help everyone on a similar path.”
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/my-support-network-got-me-through-cancer-dublin-mum-now-helps-other-people-deal-with-devastating-diagnosis-42327416.html ‘My support network got me through cancer’ – the Dublin mum is now helping other people cope with the devastating diagnosis
Fry Electronics.com is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials, please contact us by email – admin@fry-electronics.com. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
