Life doesn’t always go the way you plan, particularly when a shock breast cancer diagnosis comes in your mid-20s. Kimberley O’Connor was working as a young nurse in the oncology ward when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, flipping her world on its head as she went from carer to patient. Being diagnosed at such a young age came as a huge surprise to Kimberley and with its own set of challenges.
At only 27 years old, Kimberley’s whole life changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She discovered a suspicious lump in her breast by accident, while removing fake tan in the shower. A subsequent ultrasound, biopsy and mammogram revealed that she had a cancerous tumour in her breast. Kimberley was busy working in the oncology ward when she received the call from her GP, which set the whirlwind treatment process into motion.
Immediately after her diagnosis, Kimberley was sent for a CT scan, blood test and a phone appointment with a professor from IVF Australia. Being so young, Kimberley had a lot of things to think about in regard to her treatment, including making important decisions about her fertility. Kimberley and her partner had been planning to try for kids in the next year, so she decided to delay treatment slightly to undergo hormone injections and freeze her eggs. This was a huge focus of Kimberley’s treatment plan, as chemotherapy can negatively impact the fertility of many women.
For Kimberley, the whole process was something of an information overload. There was so much to take in and so many decisions to be made. She credits McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Kim Wright, with helping her navigate diagnosis and treatment. They met on that very first day when Kimberley had her appointment with the oncologist and Kimberley grew to rely on the support and guidance of her McGrath Breast Care Nurse.
“Kim was really helpful when I became a bit overloaded with information, she would remind me what we were doing and she kept track of everything. It’s like having a friend with you, she’s a warm and sunny person who knew just what to say.”