Fighting the good fight
Fighting the good fight
October 30, 2008
Section: News
Breast cancer patient Penny Matchett has been through the wars and is “still going through the wars’’ but still found time to promote awareness of the disease during Breast Cancer Month.
Mrs Matchett who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago aged 32, held two fundraisers - Crimp’n’pink at Deshanz Hairdressers, Shellharbour and a Girls’ Night In at Figtree Private Hospital.
Mrs Matchett said counting was still underway on the amounts raised but took the opportunity to urge women of all ages to be vigilant.
“My results showed I didn’t have any cancer,’’ she said.
“But I pushed and pushed to have the lump removed. It was almost like something was telling me it was toxic and I wanted it out.
Since being first diagnosed Mrs Matchett has been treated for backpain which was suspected to be a tumour, got septicaemia and had a scare over another suspected tumour.
“After what I have been through, I am just so passionate about this,’’ she said. “Not for me - now I’m focusing on my children’s children and everybody else’s children out there.
“I said to a friend the other day that I will fundraise until the day I die and if I can save just one person, it will have been worth it.
Raffle tickets are available at Deshanz Hairdressers, Shellharbour City.
- Nov 3, 2008 @ 02:22pm
Knowing Penny personally I am so proud to be her sister and what she is doing is worth the fight for millions for Australian women out their facing this horrible disease that is taking precious lives away from family that truly love them deeply. Women around the country have to open their eyes to this disease & start supporting it before it is to late.. This can affect any family as it has mine & we can not find a cure without the donations from the public, so many large companies have given so much but the breast cancer research needs MORE... Please help donate you could save a life. EVEN YOUR OWN..... Penny you are an inspiration to all women out their fighting this and who have given up, you are truly a gift from god.... Love you Peta
- Nov 1, 2008 @ 07:57pm
This story brought tears to my eyes. My sister suffers from breast cancer, there's not a day that goes by where we think about her and how she has suffered from this disease. Cancer is a life threatening disease, people especially our children, need to understand how serious this disease is - they need to be more educated. My heart goes out to you Penny, keep your chin up-you are a strong and beautiful person.xxx
- Nov 1, 2008 @ 04:57pm
I would like to ad to my article in the Lake times to push the younger generation of today. Please if you feel you have something that is not quiet right listen to your body and what ever you do, you and you alone are the only ones that know when something is not right. DO NOT let the Doctor tell you that you are ok, as you can see from my experience I was told I had nothing to be concerned about as it turned out I did have plenty to be concerned about. DO NOT let your self be a statistic. You have every right to speak up if you are not happy with what you are being told by any Doctor, you challange to make sure you are in the clear, if not for you, do it for your family. I really cannot urge you the community enough. The Doctors may know the answers but once again unless they take a sample for testing how will they know what they are dealling with, as they say the proof is in the pudding and unless they take a piece how will they know??? I understand Women over 50 are being pushed to have Mammograms done, but I want to know when will Dept of Health and Ageing put money into promoting the younger generations about Breast Cancer, the young Mum's of today, the Student's, your Daughter or even your son. Cancer dose not have a barrier, it can get anyone of any age. I really feel the younger Ladies of today are really being missed, the true sadness behind it all is a Family will loose their partner and the children will be lost with out a mother. I think it is about time to be put on the map not only to target 50's and over but all ages to be aware if you have breast it is time to check. The younger you are the more aggressive the cancer can be that is why if you find a lump, jump and act the slower you go the faster the cell's are turning over!! think about that.
Comment count: 4
Reading this article made me stop and think that mammograms and breast checks are not just for the over 50's. It takes courage and guts to become a person that can withstand the treatment, fears and result of having survived cancer, no doubt Penny looks at the world differently. And I wish the medical profession would listen to the patient more, as they are the expert in their own bodies..