Mrs Australia International National Finalist - Giselle Tadros,

About the event

My Story
In February 2009, at the age of 21 I faced the toughest moment in my life when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stage 4, a type of treatable cancer which attacks the body’s immune system. When I was given the diagnosis all I could think about was my idol Delta Goodrem. She got through this remarkable journey and I knew I could to. I wasn’t going to give up on hope and I became so positive and my faith became stronger; which I believe is what has helped me go on. I pray to God every night and would say “I am not giving up, here I am, please help and protect me and give me the strength, I know you are right beside me.”
Throughout my journey I remained positive as I could be, because something I learned through my encounter with cancer, is that you’re not the only person affected by it. It can have an effect on those close to you although it helps if they see that you’re ok. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when I got there so I kind of just went along with what the nurses were doing and after a couple of treatments and asking a few curious questions, I learnt enough to start to believe I could almost be a doctor. I was using the correct terms and just going through in my head what should happen next. I had completed the first lot of treatments and my doctor was right when he told me it will probably get harder each time. But in my head I was setting goals and now I could tell myself I was already halfway to the finish line. Just keep getting through it.
My strength was given to me to continue with my studies at university. I was in my final year of psychology doing my postgraduate diploma of psychology, which I have graduated from and now fully registered and qualified psychologist. The doctors told me to defer and put all my working commitments on hold while undertaking treatment for the disease but I just couldn’t I needed to keep busy and by doing this was studying and keeping my mind occupied. As part of my treatment, I undertook very intensive chemotherapy, which resulted in the loss of my hair, as well as a stem-cell transplant.
Just believing that I would get through it and knowing that there are no shortcuts. With any challenge or pain or difficulty, the only way through it is to go through it – go through the fire. And you come out the other end of it. There’s a balance in life. I think life has a balance and stability. It balances out. Hopefully you learn through your experience and grow. I think I’ve always had a pretty positive attitude that I would get through whatever it is. I live life that way.
Two months later I went for my regular two month check-up, and found a lump near my collar bone, it was tested and proved to be a relapse of my cancer, however, I have found myself more determined and stronger to get through this journey once again. I feel that being fearful of this prognosis will only make matters worse and I have to just keep on living and enjoying life; doing the things I love the most. I thank all my friends and family for the support that they have given me especially my parents as without them I don’t know if my determination to just go on would have existed.
My faith in God just got stronger and I would turn to him and would tell him that I want to just leave it in His hands. I wasn’t worried what the outcome was going to be and I wasn’t worried about how long the treatment would take. In fact, I wasn’t worried about anything. I had this strong belief in me that it was all going to be fine.
In May 2011 I had a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor; a 39 year old woman from Germany; and since then I have been cancer free. It was a momentous day for me and I cannot do anything but thank God for what he did in me. I didn’t just beat cancer. I survived it and what ever life throws at me I can handle.
Of course I still have those days when I worry my cancer will come back but I try to be as positive as possible and make the most of each day. I look at life so differently now, I am so grateful for being given the opportunity to have the transplant, not everyone does. I believe I’ve become a stronger person, I use to be quite sensitive and delicate but going through the experience of cancer you have to become tough and I have.
The main reason for me representing NSW in the Mrs International Australia Pageant is to encourage others and become an ambassador for all these other women who are going through similar journeys and send out the message that you just need to be positive, stay strong and live life as if nothing has ventured.
I don’t know what this journey holds for me next. But I am, living every minute to the full and making sure that I do all these things I’ve been meaning to do for years. Now is the time. There are many treatments available for Lymphoma. Many of them will get you into remission. Even partial remission for Lymphoma is a result. Although it’s a shock when you find out – you can get through life and life can be good.
You will be afraid of the treatment, but invariably its not as bad as you think it might be. The funny thing is that my life is happier now than before, which is bizarre, but I only can think it is because you get a shock, deal with it daily for a while and then realise that there is a lot to live for every day. Every day is precious and none of us know what is around the corner.
We are all headed in the same direction… so be happy and cherish the people you love and enjoy something nice every day – even if it is just coffee with a friend or a walk on the beach with your dog. All life is is a series of “nows”, so make each now count

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Giselle Tadros

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