Jaynie's STORY

Conception of the event

 It was early 2007 when Barry Golding of the Manly Running Academy was

seeking new challenges to compliment his training schedule and at the same

time racking his brains to help a good friend in need and raise the profile of her

plight. Jaynie, who started running with Barry as part of the Manly Running

Academy was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2000. After the removal of

a lump and radiation treatment, Jaynie recovered well until seven years later

another lump appeared on the same breast. As Jaynie is not an Australian

resident she has to pay for her own expensive breast cancer treatment.

Barry wanted to create a unique event and reasoned the more challenging and

unbelievable the event the more likely he would be able to attract interest

through publicity and sponsorship support. So the idea of a MultiMarathon was

born and the quest to run 15 Marathons in 15 days across the Simpson Desert

became his mantra not only for a friend to cover the cost of her treatment but to

raise money for a good cause – Breast Cancer Research.

Jaynie’s story - “Life’s a Rich Tapestry”

I was diagnosed with breast cancer whilst living and working in Japan, March

2000, the new millennium. I emphasize the fact that I was fortunate enough to

be diagnosed at an early detection.

A marble size lump was removed from my left breast in April, 2000 and thus

began a continuing journey of recovery. Being in another country, I was

concerned and frightened of the unknown but I was extremely lucky to have two

close Japanese friends, Makiko and Kyoko, who for many years had been

dealing with cancer on a daily basis. I am forever grateful for the support, love

and kindness they showed me, for I was the lucky one. They have both since

passed away and I will remember them for showing me the true meaning of the

word ‘courage’.

Through their strengths and knowledge I became more confident to deal with

my fears, assumptions and feelings and along with my doctor and surgeon, I

was able to make informed decisions about my health and take charge of my

body and life. Thankfully a host of great friends, excellent doctors and my own

fighting spirit carried me through very difficult times, months of tests, surgery

and radiation therapy. 

I managed to cope beautifully through the ‘five’ years of monthly and yearly

checkups and now, living and working in Australia, thinking I was invincible,

with no signs of a reoccurrence, I was enjoying one of the happiest times of my

life. I had a great job and wonderful friends.

Suddenly, to my surprise, in January 2007, seven years after my first

diagnosis, I found a pea sized lump in the same left breast.  I had once again

been dragged into the world of cancer and was overwhelmed at the courage

and stamina I found there. This time around it wasn’t as simple as removing a

lump. I was told I had to have a mastectomy and luckily for me again I had an

amazing team of doctors, who, in this day and age, where able to perform

reconstruction surgery at the same time. So, in August 2007, I went under the

knife and thus began my second journey of recovery but this time one of great

mental and physical strength, for the mastectomy was the easy part. The

months of chemotherapy was the real journey, oh and what a journey, a real

rollercoaster, the ride of my life.

From this experience, not only did I learn to live with the pain, but I learnt to love

the pain, and as a personal trainer I had plenty of practice. I learnt to separate

my mind from my body. It is definitely mind over matter and positive thinking. I

knew I was strong but didn’t realise how strong, until I recognised the human

spirit cannot be stopped or broken, unless it wants to be.

I did have my moments of weakness where I did feel sorry for myself and found

it extremely hard to pick myself up and face this beautiful world, but I did time

and time again. I found great joy and comfort in a good laugh and a wicked

sense of humour. Along with a few close friends who knew me well, we laughed

on a daily basis, and how important that was for me to maintain my sanity.

I can say, I coped extremely well throughout my six months of chemotherapy

and kept telling myself, ‘it could be worse’ and on January 3rd 2008 things did

get worse.  I got a life threatening infection from a skin graft I’d had due to a

burn on my reconstructed breast. I was hospitalised for a week and pumped

with antibiotics hoping that would rid the infection. There was not a defensive

‘wait to see what happens’ game plan but a full out offensive attack against a

seemingly indestructible opponent. The skin was dying and rotting from the

inside out and I had to have emergency surgery to take out the expander, clean

up the infection and cut away the dead skin. I was devastated that all the good

work that had been done to rebuild me was now undone and I was back to

square one. I had got to the last hurdle and had fallen flat on my face only to

pick myself up again. Time has been my painful teacher but it cannot be

brought back, so I can only move forward.
 

So, here I am feeling, stronger everyday. After a few hiccups along the way, I

can honestly say I’ve come out of this on top of my game and for those women

who are living with breast cancer, who have bravely battled a fatal disease, I

celebrate your courage, fortitude and stoicism.

I love my life and the people in it. I don’t know how I can ever repay them so I’ll

just keep saying “THANK YOU” forever and sincerely, for as long as I have a

voice.

Love and laughter

Jaynie

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