Corinna’s battle
Too young … she’s just too young for this
About a month or so ago I got the shocking news that my daughter, Corinna, has breast cancer.
I haven’t written about it before, as it might have looked like I was seeking ’sympathy votes’ for the Alpine council elections.
But as all but a handful of people would have mailed back their ballots by now I want to write about it … because I need to.
Corinna is a lawyer, and lives in Brisbane with her husband Dominic Monaco, who she married in May last year after they’d been together for several years. She’s been having IVF treatment, as she’s unable to conceive naturally due to some major surgery she had on an ovarian cyst about ten years ago. It’s possible that the chemicals used in IVF may have caused the cancer, although no one really knows.
The 1.5 cm lump she detected was diagnosed cancerous and quickly removed. The tests found that it was malignant and ‘category 3′, which is apparently the most vigorous type. Fortunately they found no other traces in the breast or the lymph nodes, however, on the Doctor’s advice, she’ll be undergoing a full course of chemotherapy followed by radiology.
The first chemo session is tomorrow, Friday. According to statistics, the risk of the cancer reoccurring is much greater in women of Corinna’s younger age and that’s the reason for the chemo, as a precaution. The danger is whether she’ll be able to go back on IVF after the 7 month chemotherapy course so, to safeguard against that, she had another preventive operation on her ovaries on Wednesday, ahead of the chemo. Not great news, again.
The ‘good news’ (if there is any) is that Cos & Dom have already sold their Brisbane home and will be moving back to Melbourne before Christmas. She’ll then continue her treatment at the Peter McCallum Clinic, the best in the world.
It’s going to be exceptionally hard on her and will take at least a year out of her life. I just hope & pray that’s all it will take. If anyone wants to know the reality of cancer – i.e. the real impact on those who have it - you need look no further than fellow blogger and a good mate, Greg Naylor of Whitfield, who has chronicled his own battle with terminal prostate cancer on his blog. Greg’s latest entry says it all. May God be with him and with my daughter, Corinna:
I am tired of braving it out telling people I am fine when I am not! I am equally sick of the platitudes of well meaning people who say things like ’stay positive’ and ‘you’ll feel better tomorrow”. I will not! The disease is progressing and I am deteriorating … little by little … day after day. (Greg Naylor, King Valley Watchdog)
Contact: ray@grevilleagardens.com
Click 
That’s terrible news, Ray, and I’m really sorry to hear it. Best of luck to your daughter and your entire family for the coming months.
Oh Ray, what a shock for you and your family. I read your post and was reduced to tears. But, then I’m allowed to, I’m an emotional wreck anyhow. My thoughts and prayers are with Corinna and your whole family.
You tell Corinna that I have found great solace in finding another sufferer with whom I can talk – even more frankly than I can with Pauline. You tell her that if ever she needs an empathetic stranger to cry with, she is welcome to call me.
Ray I’m not a God person but I truly wish your daughter all the best in her battle and I wish her family strength and hope in this trying time
Ant, thanks mate. I hope you can make it up here one day soon. It would be great to meet you in person. Cheers.
Greg, my daughter is a very strong character but, in my phone discussions with her, I’ve detected that she’s putting on a brave face and underneath it all she’s feeling … well, rather pissed off with the whole shit thing of it. We’ve always been very close and when she moves back to Melbourne I’m hoping to bring her up here in between treatments now & then (although apparently there’s only a limited window of opportunity for the travel). If she gets here I’ll certainly suggest she talks/meets with you. Thanks mate.
Bill, I really appreciate that. Thank you, and let’s hope we get a good result on the weekend.
Ohhh Ray, I am so sorry. This must be so unbearable, especially to think you had to bottle it up. Your poor daughter, I truly hope and wish that everything gets better for you all.
This kind of thing tends to put things like council elections, Coles or no Coles into perspective. All of us struggle with day to day events which upset us, but there nothing more defining than confronting and trying to cope with the fragility of life.
I have four children, two boys and two girls. Sadly, both girls are afflicted – one with a bipolar disorder, the other with epilepsy. Neither are likely to have children of their own.
I wish your daughter well, Ray.
PAX VOBISCUM
LuLi, your sincerity just shines through. Thanks and keep up the great blogging – I love it!
Noel, that’s so right. I’m sorry to hear about your girls and I truly empathise with anyone who has a child suffering a major mental illness such as bipolar or schizophrenia. It’s just so misunderstood.
That’s terrible news Ray, I hope that her recovery is swift and that she is able to manage the chemo OK.
She knows what to expect, Dave, as her mother underwent chemo (successfully) about 7 years ago and Cos saw her through most of it. But at her age there’s a bigger danger of a relapse. She’s very determined though.
That is such horrid news Ray.
I hope all goes well I just can’t imagine how concerned you must feel at present. If I was a believer I would offer you my prayers but as I’m not all I can offer is my best wishes.
Hi Ray, I am saddened to hear of your daughter’s health issues. It makes it difficult when a person so young gets hit with this. Also, the distance between you and her makes it a greater challenge for you – as a father.
My Wife, Carol Johnstone, was diagnosed with this only 12 months ago – and has undergone 3 operations, culminating with a mastectomy just before Christmas last year. We found it very difficult – especially the chemo thing. However we have come thru….and would have to say that we are the stronger for it. Having a major illness gives you a sense of empathy with other people with all sorts of troubles. It also provides a sense of perspective on life….on what is important, and what is not. May you and your family draw strength out of this difficult time.
Cheers, Greg
P.S. Best wishes for the weekends election count.
Thanks Greg. Sorry to hear about Carol; as you say, it puts a different perspective on things. I’d say ‘good luck’ to you too but I’ve already predicted you’ll get back in (you’re @ $1.75 and 4th favourite!)
Hi Ray, l wish your daughter well with her treatment she is at the right place having treatment at the PM Clinic. Nice that she will also be closer to her family as it’s a time when she will need you all…
Thinking of you and your family…. Take care, l’m sure most of us have been through Cancer with some one close to us if not ourselves…
Wishing you all the strength to surmount this terrible barrier and appear at the other side without having suffered a loss so terribly hard to bear.
Ray, not sure what happened to the rest of my comment, but l did also write after ” I’m sure most of us have been through Cancer with some one close to us if not ourselves,” That is sure does help having others there to lean on and sometimes it’s nice just to have someone outside of the picture to let out our feelings too….
Thanks Michy, Jr. It’s nice to know how others feel too.
Hey Ray, catching up on the blogs and am so sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope the therapy and all work. Best wishes.
I’ve just received the pleasing news that my daughter will be stopping off here on Sunday for a day or two, on her way down to Melbourne. She started chemo in Brisbane about 10 days ago but will be continuing the treatment in Melbourne. She’s already had her head shaved and has bought a wig, rather than go through the ‘hair falling out’ stage.