Lili Moss

Help me make life that little bit easier for people experiencing breast cancer

On 2 January 2024 I will be walking 60km to raise necessary funds for the McGrath Foundation. Whilst I will literally walk it, I invite you to virtually walk with me through your donation!

I remember it so clearly… May 2022, when life was just so wonderful. Then-

19 May: GP 

24 May: mammogram and ultrasound 

26 May: multiple biopsies. I’m still holding my bloodied boob, not even dressed, when the radiologist steps away from the microscope and says “I’m 99.99% sure it’s breast cancer. I really hope I am wrong. Get dressed and call your GP. Good luck and goodbye”. He leaves the room. Talk about a mic drop moment.  

1 June: meeting with Breast Surgeon; cancer confirmed. 

2 June: Fertility doctor for an emergency egg freeze (what a disaster… a story for another day!). 

6 June: meet Oncologist. This is also when I met Jenny,  my McGrath Breast Care Nurse. It’s hard to explain how I felt about Jenny in that moment- She introduced herself and I heard her, but had no words for her. I remember just staring and thinking ‘WTF is a breast care nurse and why would I need one?’. I don’t think it was shock… I think (I hoped) it was still a big mistake. Little did I know the impact Jenny, and POW’s breast care nurse Jill would have on me.  These are more than nurses; Jenny was my friend, mother, sister, carer, mentor. She offered me her shoulder, her wisdom, her empathy. She guided me when I was lost; she held my hand without judgement and laughed when I needed it most.

Naturally, once it was confirmed, a period of hell followed.  Hell can show its face in many forms. I’ve been there. Done that. Got the physical, mental and emotional scars to prove it. 

Wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

20 weeks of chemotherapy. Surgery. 6 weeks of daily radiation. 

Triple Negative Breast cancer is just good ol fashioned bad luck! 

My little friend measured 1.2cm…

Unfortunately, any lump 1cm+ requires the FULL shebang of treatment. Talk about bad luck again!

My oncology nurses, along with my McGrath Breast Care Nurse Jenny, urged me to walk daily. 1km, 2km, to the end of the street and back. The importance of walking whilst in treatment helps circulate blood throughout the body, thus helping to flush toxins out. It also has that "wonderful" effect associated with exercise and mental health. 

Ironically, when I was diagnosed, I was on 352/365 days of 10K steps a day. I was on task to complete my one year of 10 000 steps until the Big C literally stopped me in my tracks. I'm fundraising to ensure that no one goes through breast cancer without the care of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse. 

A breast cancer diagnosis changes your life, often in ways you wouldn’t expect. The impact can be felt right through your family and friends. As much as you try, the diagnosis, the treatment and the disease can take over your life.

McGrath Breast Care Nurses bring you and your family peace of mind through expert knowledge, personal care, and genuine compassion. They can help you create time in your life not defined by breast cancer.

That’s why, this Pink Test (January 2024), we hope the SCG will be full once more with people decked out in pink, ready to create more memories.

I'd love your support in Pinking Up and fundraising to help place specialist McGrath Breast Care Nurses, wherever they're needed. Please support through my fundraising page or no matter where you are, support the McGrath Foundation by buying your Virtual Pink Seats at pinktest.com.au and sharing across your socials.

Together, we can make a difference!