Taylors Lakes resident Sylvia Cimino, with her daughters Stephanie and Lisa, said a positive attitude and the support of her family and friends helped her deal with the trauma of breast cancer. 70928
BY NATALIE GALLENTI
LIKE most women, Sylvia Cimino never thought she would be a victim of breast cancer.
So when she was diagnosed with the devastating disease, her world was turned upside down.
The most concerning part for the Taylors Lakes resident was that she hadn’t suffered any symptoms and couldn’t even feel a lump in her breast, but after a routine mammogram last September and then a biopsy, doctors dealt her the traumatic blow.
“I was absolutely devastated,” the 50-year-old said.
“I couldn’t feel the lump. It showed me it can happen to anyone.”
Mrs Cimino underwent reconstructive surgery on her breast and remembered the feeling of relief before she entered the operating room.
“I remember walking in there, knowing I would still have my breasts afterwards and there would be no cancer.
“I think I would have been so depressed if I couldn’t have the reconstruction.”
She recalled the tense moment when waiting for doctors to reveal whether the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and the absolute joy when she received the good news that it hadn’t.
Now a year on, the brave mother of two has won her battle with cancer and is in remission. And in the lead-up to International Breast Cancer Awareness month, she is calling on women of all ages to get regular breast examinations.
But the victory was a long fought one, with four sessions of chemotherapy in three months. And with fatigue and severe headaches came the inevitable loss of hair.
“I started wearing a wig and people would stop me at the shopping centre and ask me where I got my hair done.
“I didn’t want to lose my identity, and once I put on that wig, I didn’t feel like a cancer victim anymore.
“I felt a million bucks.”
Mrs Cimino said it was her positive attitude and the love and support of her husband Sam and daughters Stephanie and Lisa, which helped her through the toughest period in her life.
“It’s taught me that life is short.
“God has given me a second chance, and I want to live it up.”
