Nicole Ingledew's Breast Cancer Journey

Hi All,

Me again! Unfortunately in March this year I was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time in just under a year. This reoccurrence has meant a 3rd and 4th surgery, ramping up my hormone therapy and radiation (more on this later).

Sonny and I were hopeful that we were going to be able to handle the financial implications of my second breast cancer diagnosis. Sadly, as appointments and km's have accumulated and our savings and leave entitlements have dwindled we are starting to feel the pressure.

We hate asking for help and we understand that these are tough financial times for many so please only give if you can and know that any help is appreciated immensely. You have to set a goal amount on these things but really anything will help!

For those that are interested, below is a detailed account of my Journey so far

Then (2024)...

In January 2024, after my first surgery to remove a lump under my right nipple I was diagnosed with invasive hormone positive breast cancer. For any who have experience receiving this new - words cannot describe. A whirlwind of appointments ensued until I landed on my awesome specialist who requested more diagnostic scans. This revealed a large 7cm area of DCIS cells (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ) in the same breast. These are considered early stage breast cancer and are cancerous cells that haven't yet become invasive.

To me, with my families history of cancer, but surprisingly no genetic link, a bilateral mastectomy was a no brainer. Fortunately the same imaging showed that there didn't appear to be any obvious spread to my lymph nodes, however until my mastectomy and axillary (armpit) lymph node dissection they couldn't advise whether I would need radiation or not.

After gaining multiple opinions I essentially had 3 options:

1. Bilateral Mastectomy to flat with no reconstruction +/- radiation

2. Gain weight, Bilateral Mastectomy to flat, +/- radiation then onto Sydney for a Flap Reconstruction using stomach fat/skin.

3. Bilateral Mastectomy direct to implants, +/- radiation with the potential risk of implant failure.

Each option had its pros and cons. Going flat seemed the safest option but being a 35 year old woman I knew that this would be hard for my body and mind. Gaining weight voluntarily was not an option for me and neither was the time in Sydney if we could avoid it. That meant the mastectomy direct to implants felt like the way to go.

So in March 2024 I had op number two. Being real - I've never been so scared in my life. I've had some surgery related trauma in the past and this was also impacting my head space. The surgery went ok. It was much longer than expected as my right breast tissue was heavily meshed with my muscle underneath.

That first night was rough. I couldn't move my upper body at all and would nearly pass out from pain and blood loss if I tried. I was bleeding much more than expected so there was a chance more emergency surgery would be required. Thankfully things calmed down but it did mean a longer stay in hospital then expected.

Recovery from a bilateral mastectomy direct to implants is gnarly. A year on and my pec muscle on my right side still isn't the same. It took days to sit upright, weeks to shuffle around and months to rebuild my fitness and cardiovascular condition. I couldn't shower or dress myself. To make recovery harder, 10 days in I scored both pneumonia and a massive hematoma in my right breast that caused it to swell and turn black. This landed me back in hospital for 4 nights.

Given that my cancer was hormone positive I then went on tamoxifen with the plan to be on this for 5-10 years which is designed to block your receptors from estrogen. I was the model patient. I stopped drinking alcohol when I got my diagnosis (15 months alcohol free!), I ate relatively healthy, did my arm exercises, walked regularly, went to all my appointments, took my tamoxifen daily and eventually things balanced out and I was able to start running again. Having your support the first time made things so much easier.

I feel as if I was really at my peak. Then everything was flipped upside down again.

Now (2025)...

In February this year at my scheduled scan I was nervous as I had noticed the growth of a small lump - again just under my nipple. Given that I had already had surgery in this spot there was every chance that it was just scar tissue. Even so surgery number 3 was schedule in March to remove a portion of my nipple for pathology. Unfortunately it was hormone positive cancer again but this time in the skin itself.

Two weeks on from surgery number 3, I had surgery number 4 to remove my nipple and areola. Being a vascular area the recovery for these two surgeries has required quite some time and has meant no lifting, straining or driving for many weeks. Whilst not as physically painful as my bilateral mastectomy the change from running 60+ kilometers a week to nothing is so mentally tough.

Given that a reoccurrence has occurred in just under a year and that my hormone positive cancer has returned despite being on tamoxifen my treatment plan has intensified.

I started my Zolodex treatment on the 24th of March which involves something about the size of a grain of rice being injected into my stomach tissue every 28 days. This will switch off my ovaries and cause medically induced menopause. I will do this for around two years unless I decide on an oophorectomy (ovary removal). I will also start aromatase inhibitors to prevent any further estrogen created by fats being used against me. This will be 5-7 years depending on how I tolerate them.

Since having the Zolodex injection I have felt quite unwell, waking with headaches and nausea that last the day. My head is cloudy at times and I'm so tired from it all. Oh and look up the size of the Zolodex needle...

I will start radiation in Coffs Harbour late May or early June and that will be each day for 3 weeks. Unfortunately this will be at least 3 hours of travel each day during this period.

During my radiation consult I learnt that for me there is an increased risk of skin irritation and burning as there is skin only and no breast tissue or muscle directly underneath. I have also been warned that 3-4 out of 10 patients with implants have had complications from radiation and that if this happens more surgery may be on the cards with the potential of losing my implants completely.

This journey is far from over. Some days it's hard to stay positive. I'm not used to my new scar and its quite confronting. I'm worried about what comes next, I'm pretty sick of going to Coffs and I'm really keen to be on the other side of this.

The Future (I Hope)...

Running has been a huge part of my recovery from my first diagnosis and in better times I lucked out and gained entry into Sydney's first Major Marathon. This was going to be a significant milestone for me in my recovery and receiving this diagnosis and having my running come to a grinding halt has been tough. I cant refund or transfer my race entry and our accommodation was organized some time ago.

So my goal is still to get there if I can and simply make it across the finish line in whatever time and in whatever manner it takes. If you do donate and are ok doing so, leave your name so I can add it to my shirt that I will finish the Marathon in as a very small way to acknowledge your support.

Thank you,

Sonny, Austin & Nicole xx