One Riverina woman immediately knew something was wrong when she felt a “rock hard” mass on one of her breasts, months later she has tackled radiation and surgery.
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Margaret Crane, 49, fondly known as Margie, was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2018.
“It was a whirlwind from the Gp to the specialist to tests and you had no time to think,” she said. “Then it was surgery and now radiation.”
Margie said she couldn’t believe that it was happening to her and it was like an “outer-body experience.”
Originally from Tumut, Margie has been staying in Wagga’s Lilier Lodge for six weeks.
“I have been going home on weekends to see my 14-year-old son, Jake," she said.
“He has been amazing and we have been talking through everything. I also want to thank Georgia Gowanloch, my best friend, who has been there for me from day one and has been there through the entire journey.”
People don’t realise how much help is out there, Margie said.
“Lilier Lodge has been a home and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without this place,” she said. “An hour and a half after treatment, I am just zapped and depleted of energy.”
While remaining positive for the most part, Margie said she really struggled after her surgery.
“The week or two after my mastectomy, I spent a lot of that time in tears,” she said.
“I couldn't even look at the wound and then one day I looked down, accepted it and have gotten on with it.”
Margie’s prognosis is looking good with hormone treatments on the horizon for the next few years.
“I’m going to study enrolled nursing now,” she said.
Margie said the staff at Lilier Lodge are “angels in disguise”.
Dry July Foundation raised $7.7 million during its 2018 campaign and is donating $150,000 to Wagga Lilier Lodger.
Manager of the lodge, Margaret Dalmau, said the funds would allow for all air conditioning units to be upgraded and shade sails added to the carparks.
“We would like to thank All Points Air Conditioning and Greenline who will be doing the work,” she said.
“It might seem like small things, but it helps improve the quality of stay for our guests. What’s left over will go to landscaping and establishing a kitchen garden.”
Ricky Puata, manager of Cancer Council Western NSW, said this type of funding allows them to complete projects they don’t have the money for.
“We are so thankful to Dry July for these funds,” he said. “They might not sound like big changes, but for our guests, it is a big thing.”
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