Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/85232
For me, writing has always been a release and a way to work out my emotions and feelings but mostly these had been confined to private journals. I had never used my blog before to be really personal. However, as my world shrunk into dealing with my mastectomy surgery, 18 weeks of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation and putting the rest of my energy into my young family and support group, I found it of vital importance to have that release of communication and to show honestly how I was feeling and how we were all coping. The other reason behind being so honest was because I felt so alone. I was on this journey with amazing support but I didn't know anyone else like me and it was my way of reaching out, to see if anyone would find me and identify. I frantically googled my way through a slough of blogs desperately searching for women I could relate to and communicate with. It wasn't easy to find PICTURED: MONICA WILLIAMS (RIGHT) WITH HER MOTHER them at first. So I thought if I could be a voice out there for someone else to find, then maybe I would help someone too. Since then I've met some wonderful women who have had the life changing diagnosis of cancer, not just breast, and what we have in common is our age and same the concerns that go with a cancer diagnosis and treatment while dealing with young children. Two and a half years have passed since my breast cancer diagnosis. I was diagnosed with Stage III Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (with five tumours found) in my left breast, which was removed on the 16 April 2010. Following that I had 18 weeks of chemotherapy comprising of Taxotere, FEC (fluorouracil,epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) and 52 weeks of Herceptin. Currently I am finishing a clinical trial drug and by the end of August 2012 I will finally be drug free! These days I am found still blogging, photographing