Grace Atkins fighting breast cancer

My name is Natalie and I am hoping to raise some funds to take the financial strain off Grace and her family while she continues to undergo unexpected, but urgent treatment for an aggressive attack of breast cancer. I met Grace in our first year at university. We were both studying to become primary teachers and we both lived on South Campus - Wagga Wagga. Iykyk. South Love. Grace has always been an incredibly independent person with a kind and generous heart. It would be fabulous if we could all show her the same kind of empathy and compassion and donate any amount you can to help recoup money spent on treatment, cover up coming bills and ensuring that Grace can continue to rest and heal, so she can enjoy the rest of her life with her husband, and gorgeous little girl Halle. After all, Halle saved her life!

Grace had found a lump in her breast immediately went to the doctor. She had scans and testing such as a mammogram, biopsy and ultrasound. She was told that no further action required. 3 months later, Grace had taken her daughter to the very same doctor, who asked if Grace had received her test results. The doctor said she would follow it up and review, only to call Grace the next day for an immediate appointment. Grace was told she had breast cancer.

After more testing, the tumour had grown from 19x14x26mm to 50x32x48mm and now with 2 lymph nodes involved.

Within 2 weeks of being told she has cancer, Grace began chemotherapy. 4 rounds every 3 weeks, followed by another 4 rounds of targeted therapy. One of Grace's medications is not on PBS and costs $6000. Then, 3 weekly and chemotherapy weekly for 9 weeks. Things seemed to be tracking along well and the tumour reponding to treatment.

In September, she had a lumpectomy and lymphnode clearance. At this point it was found that 7 of the lymphnodes removed still contained cancer cells and the surgery to remove the remaining tumour was not successful. Grace had to undergo another surgery in October, this time remove her breast - a mastectomy. Although successful in gaining clear margins in mastectomy, Grace has 8cm of remaining residual cancer cells in her breast. She is now moving into radiation and will continue on targetted therapy/chemo until July next year.

Grace had to immediately take leave from her full time job as Assistant Principal and has since exhausted all of her long service leave and sick leave. Unfortunately, life and bills don't stop and with their savings already taking a huge hit, Grace has had to return to work. Although school holidays are coming up, due to Grace using and exhausting all forms of leave, she will be unpaid over this time, putting more financial strain on her family.

Any donation would be absolutely wonderful and very much appreciated! We understand the difficulties in today's economy, so even if you can't make a donation, we would be so grateful if you could please share this page!