Strong survivor … Lorraine Coe, left, Ellen Kessler, right, and Jean Tavares, centre,who hopes to help other women dealing with breast cancer. 54060 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Natalie Gallenti
That is why the Keilor Downs resident established a support group, in conjunction with Brimbank City Council, to help women deal with the debilitating illness.
In 1997 Mrs Tavares was told she had breast cancer, and in the past 13 years has undergone countless operations to fight the disease, including a mastectomy and breast reconstruction.
After her second and third relapse she underwent intense chemotherapy and is currently on medication.
At her last check-up she was told everything was progressing well.
It is her compassion and empathy that helps Mrs Tavares connect with other cancer patients.
Through her work with the newly-formed Brimbank Cancer Support Group, she hopes to help heal the mental scars and anguish that most cancer sufferers deal with every day.
“I think people feel more comfortable talking to other women who have gone through the same thing,” Mrs Tavares said.
“Opening up to other people can be a healing process.
“At the first meeting we just talked and listened to everyone’s stories and it really helped people come to terms with it.”
Describing the session as a cathartic process, Mrs Tavares said sometimes all a woman needed was some comfort and reassurance that they weren’t alone.
“If they only get a hug, that’s all they need sometimes.”
She said going back to work soon after all three diagnoses was the key to keeping her sanity.
“It was very hard to deal with, but going back to work meant I wasn’t stuck at home depressed.
“It gave me an incentive to get out of bed, get dressed up and put on my make-up, even though I was losing my hair.”
The medical receptionist said that after chemotherapy many patients did not feel like women at all.
“You don’t have hair, your eyelashes are falling out and you look in the mirror and think it’s not me.
“You can feel really depressed.”
Meetings are held at the Delahey Community Centre, every first Thursday of the month from 7pm.
