Endeavour Hills mum’s GP appointment ends in breast cancer diagnosis

A routine GP appointment turned into a nightmare diagnosis for 33-year-old Jamie Springer. Now the midwife is using her story to raise encourage others to visit the doctor.

Jamie Springer with her husband Matt and two children, Frankie and Remi.

When Jamie Springer went to the GP in December for a routine check up following gall bladder surgery, she mentioned a lump in her breast that she thought was just related to breast feeding her daughter.

One week later she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The midwife is now using her diagnosis to encourage others to get themselves checked out.

“I hear a lot, ‘wow you’re so young’, and I think women in particular have a tendency to think, ‘I don’t want to bother anyone or maybe I am being silly, or I don’t want to waste anyone's time,’ so if I can inspire someone to go and get checked or accompany someone and hold their hand, that would mean the world to me,” Ms Springer said.

While Ms Springer admits it’s been an “hour by hour” emotional rollercoaster since her diagnosis but the outpouring of support from friends, family and co-workers has really buoyed her in her down moments.

“Every message I have received has bolstered me from not wanting to get out of bed to really feeling like I could tackle this head on. It is not lost on me at all,” she said.

The support for Ms Springer, a mother of two young children, has come from far and wide, not least from her co-workers.

Jamie Springer and close friend and co-worker Jane Donaldson following the birth of her second daughter

As a midwife, Ms Springer says there is a tight bond in the nursing fraternity.

And that has been proven by Monash Health co-worker and friend Jane Donaldson who set up a GoFundMe to help support Ms Springer and her family during this tough time.

“There is not a lot I can do as a friend to make her days easier, so if I can arrange something that can ease the financial burden, then of course I will,” Ms Donaldson said.

“Jamie has two little children, including a baby who is about to turn one, and the financial impact of the diagnosis has been so significant already and the rigour of her treatment hasn’t even started yet.

“Everyone at work wants to help in some way, and so many people have, including people outside of it work and it is just incredible.”

For her part, Jamie is blown away with the fundraising support.

“For anyone to reach into their pocket and donate, particularly given how tough times are for everybody, it is unbelievable,” she said.