Townsville woman Laura Law battling breast cancer and endometriosis

A Townsville woman who has been dealt two “shattering” health blows back to back is ready for the fight of her life, and has urged other women to stay vigilant.

A Townsville woman who has been dealt two “shattering” health blows back to back is ready for the fight of her life, and has urged other women to stay vigilant.

Laura Law began suffering the crippling effects of endometriosis just over two years ago, a moment which shook her world.

“After first being diagnosed, I chose to continue to live with the pain,” Miss Law said.

“After a full year of living with the unbearable pain and being unable to keep up with my daily life, I decided it was time to face my illness.

“February of this year, I was put in touch with an amazing doctor who specialises in women’s health. After various scans and X-rays the diagnosis confirmed that I had stage 4 endometriosis.”

Ms Law said she had seen numerous specialists on her path to addressing the endometriosis and was booked in for an operation to remove a section of her bowel and a hysterectomy (removal of her uterus and tubes) on October 20.

“The diagnosis shattered my life and I had to come to terms with at the age of 41, giving up the chance to be a mum,” she said.

“I had thought of having children but like a lot of women you always feel there is more time. For me this surgery made it so very final with no choices left to make.

“In about September of this year I made my peace with the diagnosis and had come to terms with the situation.”

Little did Ms Law know her life was about to be turned upside down a second time.

“Whilst drying just after a shower, I felt a pain in my left breast,” she said.

“I said to my fiance ‘I can feel a lump and it’s actually really quite sore.’

“Being 41 and no breast cancer in the family I didn’t prioritise going to get it checked. I thought it would be fine and it was just a cyst.

“I left it for a couple of weeks until one day I mentioned it on the phone to my friend, the response was ‘you need to get this checked out immediately’.”

Ms Law said the doctor she saw skipped normal protocol and sent her straight for a biopsy, a move which “saved my life”.

“With the cancer I have it does not show up in a mammogram or an ultrasound, it only shows up in a biopsy. It was stage two breast cancer.

“To find out that news over the phone at 5pm on a Monday night, with no one around me, completely shattered me.

“I was completely numb, I couldn’t comprehend it because everyone was telling me in the lead up to getting the results it would be fine.

“It made it harder to come to terms with it.”

The cancer is being sped up by the endometriosis, meaning every decision is vital.

It’s why Mrs Law made a huge decision with surgery.

“I’m undergoing three months of chemotherapy and then having a mastectomy. I told them just to give me a double-mastectomy and take both.”

The cancer is an oestrogen based hormonal cancer which also fuels and advances the stages of the endometriosis, meaning every decision is vital.

“I am currently having three months of chemotherapy, I will then be flown to Brisbane to have a double mastectomy, a reconstruction (using my own stomach fat), a hysterectomy followed by a bowel operation.”

A GoFundMe has been established to help support Miss Law through this difficult period.

Money will go towards costs relating to Miss Law’s treatment and surgeries, with all leftover money to go towards breast cancer awareness.

Miss Law has encouraged all women to check for any sore lumps regularly, to make sure all lumps get a biopsy, and most importantly do not wait until they’re 50 to get a mammogram to give them the best chance against breast cancer.

‘Massive drain’: Why Townsville needs more of Olympic pie

The drums are beating louder for Townsville to be thrown its fair share of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, with concerns being raised over what could happen if we’re left with the scraps.

Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto and founder of Our Fair Share Colin Dwyer have wrapped up their petition which urged the state government to create a nation-building fund to offset negative impacts of the Olympics on regional Queensland.

The pair were pleased with the community’s support for the petition, which gained 1589 signatures.

Mr Dametto said prior to the southeast’s goal to gain the Olympics, North Queensland already struggled to get its priorities noticed.

He said the repayment and net tax burden associated with the games would disproportionately affect people in regional Queensland.

Athletics - Olympics: Day 9

“The response indicates that North Queenslanders deserve more from the Palaszczuk Government,” Mr Dametto said.

“The Prime Minister has promised that the Brisbane 2032 Olympics will benefit all regions of Queensland when that won’t be the case.

“We’ve already heard that the Brisbane 2032 Olympics masterplan includes 32 venues within southeast Queensland, including a rebuild of The Gabba.

“North Queensland is fighting for a piece of the pie. Holding a few minor events in Townsville will not offset the massive drain of skilled workforce from regional Queensland to Brisbane to build these facilities.”

Townsville has proved this year it can pull off a major sporting events, highlighted by the All Stars, State of Origin and Rugby Championship.

Mr Dwyer said he looked forward to the government responding to the petition.

“All costs need to be considered and accountable and all regions need a better deal from the Brisbane Olympics, not just the southeast,” Mr Dwyer said.

Rugby

“It’s been suggested that Townsville might secure more events from Brisbane Olympics, and this has my full support.

“I believe Townsville is the ideal location for the 2032 Olympic Rugby Sevens.

“However, Townsville, like Brisbane, will need more accommodation for athletes and spectators, improved associated infrastructure like roads, walking bridges, performance venues, basic health services and a Skills Security Plan.

“If the southeast is allocated funds to cater for the Brisbane Olympics, then the North deserves its fair share to offset the negative impacts that will be put on regional Queensland.”

City ready to turn into a mini Munich... at a later date

BEER lovers are preparing to dust off their Dirndls and Lederhosens and drink their body weight in beer at one of the greatest events on the Townsville social calendar.

Townsville Brewery are putting the final touches on their Oktoberfest event being held this Sunday, with part of Flinders St set to turn into a mini Munich.

Oktoberfest

Organiser Phil Bredhauer said it was the biggest day of the year for The Brewery.

“We’ve got a capacity of 2000 and we normally get a crowd of around 1500-1600,” Mr Bredhauer said.

“We’ll probably pull about 15,000 beers. We’ll have a spirits bar set up as well and we have about 25 kegs of cider.”

Townsville’s Oktoberfest will feature Bavarian-style street foods made by the team at The Brewery, live coverage of the NRL grand final and two DJs.

Oktoberfest

There will also be a yodelling and sausage eating competition for those who want to have some extra fun. Mr Bredhauer said the outfits were undoubtedly the highlight of the day.

“It gives the women a chance to dress up and the men follow,” he said.

“It’s a bit like the Melbourne Cup, the girls dress up and the blokes follow their lead.

“All that German food and beer, I wish I wasn’t working.”

Oktoberfest runs from 12pm-10pm Sunday and tickets are still available online at Eventbrite.

* This event has now been postponed

Originally published as Townsville woman Laura Law battling breast cancer and endometriosis