Support Sam’s Fight Against Breast Cancer

On 17 February, Sam was diagnosed with high Grade 3 invasive breast cancer, HER2-negative. She was given two treatment options: chemotherapy to shrink the tumour or surgery within 12 days to remove it. Due to long wait times, Sam chose surgery.

On 26 March, Sam met with her surgeon and received encouraging news. The surgery successfully removed a 5cm Grade 3 tumour. Although the margins were close, they were clear, and her medical team believes all visible cancer was removed. Most of her lymph nodes were clear, although a small amount of cancer was found in one.

At her oncology appointment on 24 April, Sam learned the cancer was highly aggressive and had begun to spread to one of the two lymph nodes removed. As a result, an intensive treatment plan was recommended.

Sam began treatment with the chemotherapy drug commonly known as the “Red Devil,” administered fortnightly, followed by weekly chemotherapy using a different combination of medications. Alongside chemotherapy, she faces ongoing tests, scans, and radiation therapy. Once chemotherapy is complete, Sam will begin long-term treatment involving injections and medication to block oestrogen.

Following her third cycle, the side effects became extremely difficult to manage. Due to this, her oncologist made the decision to stop the final cycle and move her onto a less aggressive weekly regimen.

As if this battle wasn’t enough, Sam’s husband, Aaron, has also been unable to work while recovering from shoulder surgery.