Karen’s Says Goodbye

Breast’s, boobs, hooters, “the girls”, the list goes on. If you’re like me, you’ve never really given your boobs much thought. They are there to feed and nourish our babies, they are annoying when that outfit doesn’t fit quite right because your boobs are either to big or don’t “fill it out” enough and don’t even get me started on bra’s!! However they are part of the female form and what contribute to making us feel like a woman.
Now, I want you to take a minute and imagine what it would feel like to be told you need a double mastectomy. That part of what makes you a woman needs to be removed! You’ve just been told that you carry the BRCA2+ gene and that you have a 90% chance of developing “aggressive” breast cancer if you don’t have the surgery!

Thanks to a major genetic fault, my beautiful friend and mother to two amazing daughters, did indeed receive this news. She now joins the long list of family who have suffered from this genetic mutation which included her mother, who has suffered from breast cancer twice.
Karen was diagnosed in August last year and has been living with this ticking time bomb in her body for over a year. With public waiting times for a consultation  up to 12 plus months and then another possibly 18 months wait for surgery, Karen went through the emotional roller coaster and expense of finding a surgeon. Someone who could help her navigate her way through and ultimately prolong her life. 
As fate would have it, a rare opening presented itself and last week Karen was told she could have this life saving surgery on the 6th of December, a bitter sweet moment. Whilst she understands that by having this surgery her chances of developing breast cancer decrease to 1-2%, the reality of having that part of her womanhood removed is a confronting moment. She knows she needs to do this, not just for her but for her 2 daughters. To be strong for them as they may one day be facing the same reality and to be around longer to continue watching them grow.

For those of you that know Karen, you know she’s not one to ask for help but is always there when you need her. She has been my rock more times than I care to remember over a friendship pushing 20yrs. Now it’s my time to be hers!!
If anyone deserves a little help and the comfort of knowing that everything will be ok, it’s her!!
In 3 weeks time, Karen needs to find at least $15,000 for her double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in time to come.

If you are able to help in any way, your gifts would be so greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU.