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Published: June 23rd 2017
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Geo: -38.1, 145.717
After we left Thailand, Nana and Pa stayed another 6 weeks. They had two weeks in Cha Am then went back to Bangkok to meet Rick and Josh for their two weeks in Thailand. After the boys left, the plan was to spend another two weeks in Cha Am before they made the trip home.
All that changed when the family in Australia were sent the following email dated 25/07/10
While in Bangkok, I took the oportunity to have a small lump that I found in my breast, seen to.
Had Xray and ultrasound and needle -cell collection, will have treatment when I come home.
The email told us nothing - was it cancer? A cyst? Were the biopsy negative or positive?
After many phone calls to Rick (who was still there luckily) we managed to work out that it was something that she should really come home NOW have it looked at. They couldn't see the point in coming home to sit around waiting to get in to see the specialist etc.
Between, Rick, Mum, Dad and myself, we finally organised for them to come home 4 days earlier and for the appointments to be the following day
The email sent on the 2/08/10 told the family what was happening.
Thanks to all & especially Rick & Kate, we finally have the arrangements in place. Well leave here on Monday, 16 & flying Thai on Tuesday 17 @ 0015am, arriving Melbourne mid-day.
I see the local dr the next morning
(to get the referral) & the specialist in Bentleigh at 2pm.
Mum made it home safely, went and saw the doctor and specialist and was in hospital 10 days later having the lump removed. It had almost doubled in size from when it was first diagnosed in Thailand about a month before. Unfortunately it was found to be cancerous, had gone into the lymph nodes and the operation didn't remove all the cancer. Mum had to go back for another operation, followed by chemotherapy then radiation.
The boys decided to get their heads shaved as a show of support the day before Mum started her chemo treatment. Steve, Pete, Andy and Rick all had their hair cut to varying degrees - from a number 2 to shaved with a blade. (David could not make it on the night but had a short hair cut done a month or so later) They also purchased Breast Cancer t-shirts that were all worn on the night. We then all turned up to the pub where Mum was having her usual Wednesday night pub dinner with friends.
Poor Mum did not recognise Pete at first. After she worked out it was him, she stated that she knew there were other 'baldys' around but thought they must have been bikie mates of Peters - she looked Rick straight in the eye but it took her a few seconds to recognise him! (This explains the photo of her in shock with Pete by her side). She was so very touched by the show of support that she went to the local paper with photos and her story which appeared on page 3 of the Pakenham Gazette on 17th November 2010.
She made the horrible trip through the cancer journey and has emerged the other side with the all clear. Her fully story appeared in the 'People in Profile' section of the Pakenham Gazette (courtesy of Melissa dobbing her in to the gazette via facebook) on the 13th April 2011.
Twelve months after she found the lump, Mum and Dad were back in Thailand for two months with the fight all behind her. Mum had completed
a full circle.
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