Nadia Lauri was first diagnosed with breast cancer in February this year.
“My breast was so painful, it was to the point that I couldn’t touch it. So I went to my GP, and they sent me on to get a mammogram and an ultrasound.
“I was mortified when I found out that I had cancer in my left breast. I’m 42 and fit and healthy. I’m also a single mum to a 6-year-old boy.
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate.
“I knew I had to get better for my son, because I’m all he’s got. He was my motivation and fuel to get better,” Nadia says.
Nadia wants you to visit your GP at the first signs of change to your breasts. Whether its pain, a lump, changes to the shape and color of your breast, dimpling, redness, nipple discharge or changes to the shape of your nipple, it's important to get it checked.
“I’m alive today and cancer free for the past three and a half months because I listened to my intuition and went to the doctors as soon as possible.”
Nadia underwent cancer treatment, a double mastectomy surgery as well as breast reconstruction using her own thigh muscle, all during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She says that even though it was challenging and difficult time, she’s very grateful for the quality care she received at the ONJ Centre.
“You’re a VIP at the ONJ Centre.
“Don’t be afraid to go hospital because of COVID-19. The hospital is amazing, they’re so clean and they do all the right things to keep you safe.
“If I didn’t have the ONJ Centre and the incredible staff there, I don’t know where I would be today. They were just so onto everything,” she says.
Her mantra throughout this her whole journey has been “#IGotThis” which is something she had printed on t-shirts and wore throughout her treatment.
She wants you to know that you too have #GotThis.
“Whether it’s going to get your breasts checked, or if you’re going through treatment, you’ve got this.
“It will be hard, and you will get tired, sick, grumpy and unmotivated, but I hope my story inspires you to not give up and to choose to have a positive mindset and hope.
“Believe in yourself and your inner strength.”