Mayoress speaks out about cancer

Rotorua Mayoress Sue Winters went completely numb when a malignant lump was found in her breast.

Her husband, Mayor Kevin Winters, was in the throes of a mayoral campaign at the time and thoughts of her mum, Maureen, and their family raced through her mind as the  radiologist's words sank in that day in March 2010.

She is speaking out about her health scare as a member of the Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust. The trust is launching a winter series for women, with high-profile people speaking and offering inspiration to help them cope with anything  they might have to deal with.

Sue says she is fortunate her breast cancer was diagnosed early and encourages women to go for regular screening.

"I had no inkling there was anything. It was just routine.''

After the test was done, the radiologist left the room a couple of times, returning to re-do the tests again and Sue

says she soon realised something was up.

"She kept coming back in to take more x-rays. By that stage I had started to feel a little bit numb ... I think I went into shock and a coping strategy ... I hooked into all the positive things I was being told. That they had detected it early and it was good it was found before I felt it. For me it was about the positives.''

As she was told about the diagnosis, Sue says she was pleased everyone was upfront and honest with her.

"They were really frank and honest with me ... My mum was running through my mind because a couple of months earlier Mum came to live with us.

"I was caring for her and this meant I probably wouldn't be able to do it for a little while ... I was in coping strategy and putting one foot in front of the other.

"I was really blown away by the professionalism and the amazing care. The woman doing the mammogram was just absolutely brilliant ... she was so sensitive and calming. She didn't pretend everything was okay but had a lovely soft calm voice. Right through that whole experience I felt incredibly fortunate and safe.''

Sue was alone at the first diagnosis.

"I'm a fiercely independent person and I'm better to go to things like that alone. I can respect some people would like to have another person there though.''

She just texted Kevin to tell him she'd be late home.

"I told him I'd been held up and was going to be late. The numbness threw me into being very practical.''

Thoughts of her mortality raced through her mind but her fears were soon relieved by the professionals dealing with her.

"The radiologist took me straight there. She said it's really natural to leap forward to your funeral but there is no need to. Then she dispelled it. She went straight to the point. She confronted it for me and defused it. Allowed me to know it was a really normal thing to feel.''

Going home she wanted to play it right down for the kids, Andrew, then 16, and Caroline, then 14, as well as for her husband and mum, Sue says.

"I wanted to be practical... I played it right down but told them that I needed to have the lump removed.''

They all reacted differently. Kevin went quiet but they are both scientists and looked for the facts in the situation and approached it from a practical point of view.

"We are all maths, science people ... I drove home. I was going to share the facts and that I wasn't going to hide this from them.''

Within days Sue had a biopsy  and two years ago today doctors removed the malignant lump from her breast.

"I was overwhelmed by the amazing care from all the health professionals. I've had wonderful care ... wonderful wonderful care right the way through.''

As Kevin continued his campaign and her mum went on to be supported by her sister Wendy, Sue headed off to the Waikato cancer lodge for radiation therapy where she met the late Donna Morrison, who was in Waikato Hospital at the time. Donna died in December 2010. Donna and other women like Rotorua artist June Grant have inspired her, Sue says.

Meanwhile, Sue and Kevin never went public with her story.

"We didn't want the sympathy vote,'' Sue says.

Friends and family rallied around them.

"Friends made contact and that was really important. I was clear I wanted certain people to know. I don't think I realised the full impact on Kevin though. It was election year. There was no way we wanted any inkling of the sympathy vote.

"We were heartened but sad when Len Brown came out and said his wife had breast cancer ... we understood what they were going through.''

Sue has had clear mammograms for the past two years and is on the drug Tamoxifen for the next three years _ five years in total.

"I think that I'm accepting of the fact we are all vulnerable.

"I have a new vulnerability and that it's so important to make the most of every second that we have.''

Sue says she decided to join the Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust to help other women.

She has organised the new free winter series for women with speakers who will inspire them.

She is concerned about the impact of breast cancer on younger women.

"I want to support the work that has already been established by the women of the trust,'' she says.

"I'd had 30 years of a wonderful career ... I've had my family. It's not like that for these younger women ... I wanted to build their knowledge and awareness.

"Now two years down the track I just want to thank all the health professionals and agencies who supported me and who support other women with breast cancer.

"I want to thank family and friends and the public of Rotorua for the support they gave us through a challenging time.

"I have total strangers asking me about my health. I never take offence. It's such a caring thing ... I'd also like to thank the many Rotorua women who have dealt with breast cancer. I salute them.''

The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 19 at 7pm at the Millennium Hotel with Waikato/ Bay of Plenty Magic Netball and Netball Bay of Plenty chief executive Sheryl Dawson speaking.

The next two meetings will be in July and August.