Bev’s Story

“Thank god my mum made me go and do the test”. In February 2023 Bev went to the BreastScreen NSW Bus for a mammogram in Temora, knowing “the bus won’t be back for 2 years”. Bev thought she might as well go as she had the day off work, and it will only take 15 minutes. Bev had had no symptoms, no family history, but she didn’t check for lumps either. Bev was surprised when she got calls to say that she needed more tests to be done, but then was not surprised to be told that she had breast cancer. 

Bev had her first surgery in April, and then her second surgery in June, which included a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removal. Bev then started chemo in August, which finished in January 2024. Her breast removal surgery was delayed because Bev had COVID, but then she had it in March. This was followed by 25 rounds of radiation – every day for 5 weeks. 

Bev will be taking chemo tablets for 2 years, and hormone blockers for 5-10 years – as well as an infusion once every 6 months for 3 years. Just when she thought she was done, in August Bev started to develop lymphedema and is now seeing a lymphedema specialist. All of Bev’s treatment and specialist appointments have been in Wagga – to date she has made 65 trips to Wagga, 11,000 kms. Bev is now back at work (after not working for 6 months), but she doesn’t work every second Friday as she knows she needs a day for medical appointments. 

Can Assist assisted Bev with costs such as fuel vouchers, accommodation at Lilier Lodge in Wagga, mastectomy bras, wig, and lymphoedema compression bandage.  “Can Assist are there to help, and it really takes the financial burden off you when you’re dealing with so much other stress. Don’t ever think that you don’t deserve to get help because everyone needs it, and that’s what they’re there for. And they’re lovely people.” 

The biggest surprise to Bev is that “I’m the best I’ve been in my life mentally” – as she was getting the cancer removed from her body, she was also removing other factors in her life that were weighing her down. “Feel like I’ve got a second chance”.