Pam Cuell is a survivor in every sense of the word.
The Werribee great-grandmother has come through four bouts with cancer and two mastectomies, and has had a kidney and part of her bowel removed – but she continues to live life to the fullest.
“I’m very lucky,” she said.
“In all honesty, I’ve never once asked, why me? The fact I’ve survived for 17 years just shows cancer isn’t necessarily a death sentence.”
It was during 1998 radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment following her first mastectomy that she discovered a lump in her arm that was found to be the onset of lymphoedema.
After her second mastectomy, in 2009, she again discovered she had lymphoedema, a side-effect of many cancers that causes swelling due to an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the body’s tissues, most commonly affecting the arms and legs.
The potentially debilitating illness, which affects thousands of Australians, has no cure.
Mrs Cuell, along with Margaret Morna, has been co-ordinator of the Western Suburbs Lymphoedema Support Group since 2009.
She said the group was a place where people could talk about their experiences and share information and advice.
“Having lymphoedema is not the end of the world when you have the right support.
“It’s fortunate that I’ve found such an amazing group of people to be part of my life.”
The support group meets on the first Monday of the month at ISIS Primary Care in Hoppers Crossing.
More details: 9742 5642
