Every year the streets turn pink for the Mother’s Day Classic as we celebrate, honour and remember women touched by breast cancer.
“Touched” is kind of a nice way of putting it. Breast cancer, like all cancer diagnoses, does more than touch our lives, it invades it. We all know a woman who has been affected by breast cancer; everyone has their own personal story to share.
In addition to raising funds for breast cancer research the annual Mother’s Day Classic fun run also offers an opportunity for participants to hear a guest speaker’s personal story of breast cancer.
In 2018 Toowoomba’s guest speaker is Elysha Rei, 31-year old mother and artist. Elysha studied Visual Arts at USQ and has over a decade’s experience in working in galleries and running programs to develop art projects, exhibitions and residencies.
She exhibits her own work – and it’s a safe bet you’ve seen some of it: her stunning Japanese-inspired artworks adorn both the external back wall of the Toowoomba Art Gallery and Grand Central’s culture wall. Later this year Elysha will head to Japan for an Asialink Arts funded residency in Fukuoka and an exhibition in Tokyo.
In November last year, while practising yoga at home Elysha found a little lump at the bottom of her right breast. A few weeks later after tests and appointments this 9mm lump was diagnosed as a Grade 3, Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma.
Keep reading to hear from Elysha in her own words about her diagnosis and her art, and how the two are intersecting.
Detection and diagnosis
This is when I discovered that my self-awareness and self-detection had literally saved my life. I caught a dangerous cancer when it was 9mm – not much bigger than my pinky fingernail – before it would have inevitably spread fast to other parts of my body.
About four months ago I became very happy to be open and transparent about my diagnosis and cancer treatments. I waited nearly two months after diagnosis to actually tell many people, as I initially felt like I needed to keep it a secret. It is the sort of news that scares people, and I didn’t want anyone to worry about me. I found a lump in November last year when I did a self-check after a home yoga practice.
It wasn’t the first time I had done a self-check, so I knew there was something different when a small lump came up. I went to my GP the next day to get a piece of mind, thinking it was a cyst. But three weeks later with mammograms, ultrasounds, aspirations and a biopsy (with all the waiting in between for appointments and results), and I was finally diagnosed with cancer.
It surprised everyone, including my GP. I had no direct family history, I didn’t smoke, barely drank, ate really well and had only just completed my first 10km run with the Bridge to Bridge that year. Cancer was the last thing I ever expected. After my first surgery in December (a lumpectomy), the full diagnosis was complete with the type of cancer determined. My diagnosis was a Grade 3, Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma that is estrogen and progesterone dependent, but with no genetic predisposition.
This is when I discovered that my self-awareness and self-detection had literally saved my life. I caught a dangerous cancer when it was 9mm – not much bigger than my pinky fingernail – before it would have inevitably spread fast to other parts of my body. From that moment I knew I had to let people know this was a possibility, so that they could be aware and empowered to learn what to look for and not be afraid to seek answers if they are in doubt about their body.
I started a blog not long ago which documents intimate details from my personal perspective, which has been very well-received by many who say it provides a platform for understanding, and walking the journey with me (www.chemokitty.com). Six months ago I was pretty clueless about it all, and only through lived experience realise just how endlessly complicated this disease can be. It can be such a different story for every person, even if the cancer type is the same. Through sharing my experiences I hope to remain inclusive and approachable, providing insight and inspiration to those around me. There are a few bad puns here and there too.
Elysha’s art
I have always maintained an interest in creative pursuits since I could pick up a crayon. My mother has kept the first portraits I did of my family when I was only two (potato heads with eyes!).
My family instilled a very adventurous spirit since I was born, where we lived, travelled, worked and studied overseas for many years before settling back in Australia for my senior high school years. Growing up in Asia, and having maternal Japanese heritage has provided with a rich interest in visual arts, where I continue to explore and process life’s experiences through drawing, painting and paper cutting.
I love how it is such beautiful way to personally connect with many people. My cancer diagnosis has been no exception. During chemotherapy and my mastectomy surgery journey, I’ve been able to ground myself and process my emotions and psychological stress through the act of making. It really has been such a therapy for me.
Speaking at the Mother’s Day Classic
My mother has been there as my rock, my carer, my second pair of ears, arms, and hands whilst I’ve been undergoing treatment. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to completely thank her for everything she has done, so there is a huge part of me that is dedicating this moment to her.
The MDC event is an important opportunity for me to share my journey and my message of self-awareness and early self-detection, especially with other younger women and men who may not even think cancer is a possibility for them. The truth is, no one is immune, and we still don’t have all the answers we need to prevent and completely cure the disease.
Our best defence at the moment is finding it early, with a higher chance to treat successfully. The fundraising for continued research is also vital, and I truly value the work that the volunteers and coordinators put into the MDC every year. The event’s growing success is such an amazing achievement and credit to their endless passion, time and commitment.
The MDC also speaks to me as a mother, a daughter and a runner. My mother has been there as my rock, my carer, my second pair of ears, arms, and hands whilst I’ve been undergoing treatment. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to completely thank her for everything she has done, so there is a huge part of me that is dedicating this moment to her.
I’m disappointed I can’t join in as a runner this year, as I will only be 10 days post-operative from my bilateral mastectomy, with drains in tow! But next year I will be back and running on the event track with my pink uniform proudly brightening up the greenery of Queen’s Park with my pink sisters.
The Mother’s Day Classic Event
Online registrations for the Mother’s Day Classic on Sunday 13 May have now closed, but you can still register on the day. Registrations open at 7am and close at 8am, the 5km run starts at 8.15am and the 2.5km walk starts at 8.30am and the event is on at Queen’s Park. It’s $25 entry for adults, $15 for children, please bring cash to register.
You can find out more info at http://www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/events/event-map/toowoomba/ or follow on the Facebook page.
Featured image: Elysha’s work progressing during First Coat in 2017.
