Team Dinneen, 159 Grey St, East Melbourne (2026)

28/10/2021

A cancer diagnosis while pregnant with my third child, during a pandemic.

I worked through pregnancy and chemotherapy and gave birth to a healthy and beautiful Emerson Rose in October 2020.

Surgery, a lumpectomy, was brought forward after a reaction to chemotherapy which left me in hospital for 5 days alone, without family and my baby. Oh and a case of shingles over Christmas/New Year break..

More chemo (AC x4, Taxol x2, Abraxane x2), immunotherapy (Herceptin x17) and radiation therapy (x35).

I lost my dad. I miss him everyday.

A loneliness and fear I’ve never felt before, exacerbated by lockdowns, restrictions and curfews.

So many work stressors I wonder why I stay, but I’m back, while homeschooling and caring for my family with the help of Stephen, my mother in law Joan and my mum, Angie.

My babies are happy and healthy. Back to school today for Brooklyn, and childcare next week for Billy and Emerson.

I’m more tired than I’ve ever been, but today was my LAST treatment of Herceptin. The drug credited for saving so many people just like me.

I don’t know what the future holds, and I don’t know what my plans are from here, but all I know is that I’m grateful for the support that has gotten me through the last 18 months. I’m grateful for surviving and thankful for the love, generosity and support of so many.

Thank you.

Love and strength ❤️ And my thoughts are with all those still facing the battle. Keep fighting 💪

15/07/2021

Herceptin 1️⃣1️⃣

While the COVID situation continues to evolve and we are concerned about what could happen next, remember you could have chemo hair regrowth as bad as this! 😆

Luckily I have a hairdressing appointment next week 💇‍♀️ Anyone know what I should do with this?

Focusing on what we CAN control is important. 👍

Stay strong friends!! 💪❤️

Lifeline
Beyond Blue

03/06/2021

Hi Team!! 🙋‍♀️

It’s been a while since I’ve reached out to you all and I’m having a little déjà vu sitting in the hospital during a period of Melbourne lockdown.

The difference is, this time I’ve been able to make the most of our lockdown life with lots of running - 12km done this morning before treatment by the beautiful Yarra River, lots of ‘iso cooking’ and family time with Steve home a little more due to restrictions.

I’m thinking of all the people that are struggling through this period and send you the strength to get over this hurdle. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that while it’s absolutely fine to experience all your emotions, remember “this too shall pass”, and there is a whole community out there to support you. Please reach out to whomever is in your circle if you need to.

Lifeline
Beyond Blue

04/04/2021

Happy Easter from my beautiful family to yours ❤️

We are so grateful to be able to spend some quality time in Harrietville thanks to some generous friends after completing 6 weeks of radiation therapy!

While I tried to soldier through attending hospital every morning and the pain and fatigue, the psychological struggle of the juggle and trying to be a good mum, wife, daughter and friend was real.

I’m pretty exhausted, but my skin is healing well.

I’m getting into strength training and running with a postpartum PB at Mount Beauty parkrun of 23.19, oh and first place in the mum’s 100m at Brooklyn’s school athletics 😆

I’ll continue to receive treatment until December and I’ll continue to try to care for myself and those around me as best as I can...

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my family through this time. We’ll forever appreciate your love and generosity ❤️

11/03/2021

Halfway through radiation! ☢️

I’m 17 zaps down with 13 more to go (including a boost of 5 at the end). I’m holding up ok although after a session on the Herceptin today as well I needed an afternoon nap.

I have a dull ache and my skin is reddening but after a check with my Oncologist today, all is going ok 👌

For those not aware of how radiation goes.. I head into the hospital every morning (Mon-Fri) and lay on this bench and am measured to the machine up using my tattooed marks. It’s very precise and the team take great care to ensure I’m all lined up.
Then everyone leaves the room and with my left breast exposed, I take a deep breath under the instruction of the technician and hold it for up to 30 seconds and have the radiation administered. This happens twice and I’m done! I have a lovely team who make me feel comfortable and sometimes there’s some great tunes to distract me.

I can’t wait until this is done and a huge thanks to those who are helping with childminding and school drop offs to make this so much easier. So much love to you!! ❤️❤️❤️

16/02/2021

And it begins.. Radiation!! ☢️

This morning I went in for my first ‘zap’ at the Olivia Newton John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre.. Is it weird that the singer in me is secretly loves that I’m being treated at a facility named after ONJ? 😆

I’ve heard mixed reviews of radiation, but as usual I’ll take it one day at a time with the support of those around me.. Hopefully lockdown isn’t too arduous, the COVID risk eases and we can continue to have help with the kids and enjoy life as best as we can through the next 6 weeks...

I’m due to finish at the end of March, in time for Easter school holidays... Wish me luck!! 😃🤞❤️

In 2017 when I ran at the ONJ Wellness Walk and Research Run I had no idea I’d walk through the doors at the ONJ Cancer Centre as a patient..

Let’s hope the event can happen in 2021 and I can participate with gratitude and a totally different perspective 💚

28/01/2021

The last chemo..

Today I sit in the chair feeling somewhat melancholy.. While I feel I should be celebrating this significant milestone, I’m distracted and tired.

This is not the end of the journey with radiation to start in February, targeted therapies until the end of the year and psychological battles to probably last a lifetime.

I know the challenges aren’t over, but I’ll continue to focus on my blessings and the simple things - every day I wake up, every adversity I overcome, every run I complete, every freedom I enjoy, every hug/kiss/cry of my babies, every night I fall asleep with my husband.

I get my determination from my dad. A quality that I attribute my survival to.
Dad never knew I had cancer, but I hope I’ve made him proud. RIP.

Carpe Diem.

14/01/2021

Hello (new) chemo! 👋💉

Today finds me in the chair with more chemo (Abraxane), a different type to the previous (Taxol), in the hope I avoid the reaction (and trauma) associated to the last round.

It’s been two months since chemo and anxiety is high..

I’m feeling a bit spacey and the mask is off so the nurses can monitor any reaction. Let’s hope this goes smoothly! 🤞

Ps. At what length will this hair growth stop defying gravity???

07/01/2021

Here we go again! Herceptin #2 💉 In time for the 💕

Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) is an immune targeted therapy that can be used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. I’ll be receiving a dose of this good stuff every three weeks for the next 12 months!

“Some breast cancer cells make too many copies of (overexpress) a particular gene known as HER2. The HER2 gene makes a protein known as a HER2 receptor. HER2 receptors are like ears, or antennae, on the surface of all cells. These HER2 receptors receive signals that stimulate the cell to grow and multiply. But breast cancer cells with too many HER2 receptors can pick up too many growth signals. This causes them to start growing and multiplying too much and too fast. Breast cancer cells that overexpress the HER2 gene are said to be HER2-positive.

Herceptin works by attaching itself to the HER2 receptors on the surface of breast cancer cells and blocking them from receiving growth signals. By blocking the signals, Herceptin can slow or stop the growth of the breast cancer. Herceptin is an example of an immune targeted therapy. In addition to blocking HER2 receptors, Herceptin can also help fight breast cancer by alerting the immune system to destroy cancer cells onto which it is attached.”

https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/targeted_therapies/Herceptin

31/12/2020

To you and all you love, may 2021 be better ❤️

A new year to survive, inspire hope and live whatever life is gifted to us.

This year I introduced a new beautiful girl in Emerson Rose to the world and I’ve experienced the vulnerability of my own life.

I’ve been pushing through a new painful challenge of shingles and am honestly struggling mentally more than ever.

All I know is the strength of those I love will get me through and whatever 2021 brings, we’ll be ok.

Stay safe, look after one another, enjoy the little things.. “Everything will be ok in the end. If it’s not ok, it’s not the end”.. - John Lennon

24/12/2020

I thought I’d get in early to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a 2021 full of positivity, hope and happiness! ❤️🎄💫

While 2020 has been a challenging year on so many levels, Stephen and I continue to count our blessings as we continue to be surrounded by your love and support.

I’ve spent the last three weeks recovering from surgery and gastrointestinal issues (side effects from chemo and ALL the drugs) which have been more difficult than I imagined. We wouldn’t have been able to get through without my mum Angie and mother in law Joan who have shared live in duties 24/7 to help with everything home life. I can now pick up and cuddle my babies and hope I continue to recover and get my body back to ‘normal’ and into some fitness - a postpartum running program commences tomorrow! 🏃‍♀️🎉

Good news - my heart is back to normal function but due to the Herceptin (a drug used to treat Her2 positive breast cancer) that has a known risk of heart failure, I’ll be on Herceptin and heart medication for the next 12 months which lowers my blood pressure and heart rate making me feel a bit bleh 👎

Average news - I have now been advised to do at least a couple of extra doses of chemotherapy and Perjeta starting mid January, and following that radiation for 6 weeks (Monday - Friday).. Hopefully it’s all smooth sailing this time. Anything to get those chances of reoccurrence down I guess 🤷‍♀️

Good news - I’m still cancer free and Emerson hasn’t had any more medical issues, Stephen is having a few days off so we can get away AND we’re seeing most of our family for Christmas - that’s all I can ask for ❤️

So much love to you all and again, THANK YOU for all the support we’ve had through 2020. We are so appreciative of all the special people in our lives. 😘😘😘

08/12/2020

I’m still in shock..

Yesterday we received the pathology results and the outcome was something I never even considered....

The cancer has been completely removed AND the nodes were clear of any cancer AND microcalcifications benign!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

We are completely amazed with this result and couldn’t have asked for anything more.

I still have to meet with my Oncologist but it’s looking like next year I will continue with radiation and targeted therapies but NO MORE CHEMO!

The news is still sinking in and I don’t know when if and when I’ll feel a sense of relief but for now I’m hugging my babies, and hoping to hug the rest of our family and friends really soon.

Thank you again for all of your love, support and prayers. I couldn’t have gotten to this point without so many people behind us and ensuring we knew they had our back when the times got tough. We love and appreciate you all ❤️❤️❤️

Team Dinneen