Bridgette
My name is Bridgette and I am the McGrath Breast Nurse in Mudgee, Gulgong, Rylstone and surrounding districts.
The most important thing I do for my patients is provide supportive care and coordination from diagnosis and throughout treatments. I strive to be a great resource and central point of contact to my patients and their families for any information and support needs.
Every day I make a difference by being available to discuss any concerns or questions and supporting people throughout their journeys. I provide support and compassion during a distressing and overwhelming time, offering empathy and caring support so people know they are not alone.
Peter
When Peter was diagnosed with lung cancer, it was a complete shock. What followed was major surgery, two weeks in hospital, and a wave of uncertainty.
Joy
After Joy‘s diagnosis, she underwent a lumpectomy, followed by radiation treatment.
Joy is now two years cancer free and would like to stress the importance of self examination and following surgery, a yearly mammogram and ultrasound. She would like to send a huge thank you to all the doctors and her amazing Cancer Care Nurse in Mudgee.
Kathy
Last January Breast Screen found a lump in my breast, before I knew it I was off to the surgeon and not long after that I had a lumpectomy and some lymph nodes removed.
I went through 3 weeks of radiation, with my beautiful sister by my side. I was put on medication for 5 years and so far so good. I hadn’t grown any more cancer when I had my yearly mammogram and haven’t had too many side effect from the meds. So far I feel blessed that things were found early and I am looking forward to a bright future”.
We are sending all our positive wishes to Kathy as she battles side effects of breast cancer.
Tracey
I was laying in bed enjoying a coffee when one of my cats stood on my chest, “ouch” I exclaimed and rubbed the area, there was a large lump there.
I told my husband, who said you need to go to the Doctor, I said “nah, it’s probably nothing I’ve had a mammogram it was all clear, its most likely just a cyst”, my Mum had had a couple over the years, but he was very insistent, so I made an appointment.
Within days I had a positive Breast cancer diagnosis through ultrasound at the local imaging center. As it was during COVID, I was sent to Sydney for a biopsy, for further staging. Even though the lump was large and obvious, it failed to be seen on the mammogram, yet was clearly visible on the ultrasound they used for the biopsy. My Tumor ended up being 50mm, and which grade 2, stage 2 lobular cancer. Less than 10% of breast cancer is found to be lobular and I since found out that it is harder to diagnose due to the structure of the tumors. I was told many times over the years of getting mammograms that I had “lumpy, dense breasts”, this makes it harder still to detect tumors, my advice going forward is to undertake physical checks regularly, and if you are told that you have dense breast tissue, or lumpy breasts, request an ultrasound, it would have made a difference to my outcome.
I opted for a double mastectomy, and followed up with Radio therapy, all done at Dubbo hospital. I cannot speak more highly about the levels of care I received there, and the Macquarie Homestay facility, they made a horrible situation as pleasant as it could have been.”