Now that's got your attention !!
October is Breast Cancer Month - at least it is here in Australia - this disease is the most common cancer in women and kills at least 2,600 per year in Australia alone.
My wife, Nola, was diagnosed with it in 1998 - a terrible shock for us both - after surgery to remove the lump and an extensive course of very debilitating chemo and radiotherapy she thankfully made a complete recovery.
In July this year - 11 years later - another lump was found in the same breast. After a lot of heart searching, and a few tears, we made the decision for Nola to have a bilateral mastectomy ( both breasts removed ). The surgery was done and some ten weeks later she's back at work and on the road to a total recovery. The cancer, which was in it's infancy, was totally removed negating a need for chemo therapy. Very dramatic surgery but a small price to pay for having your very best friend still around.
I know this disease has touched a lot of families, a lot more than I knew before 1998, and if caught in time is not by any means a death sentence. Please urge your wives, mothers, daughters and sisters to have the regular check ups and learn self checking, particularly once they reach 40. There is no more worthwhile cause to donate to - trust me !!
Part of a commission I'm doing featuring a wild pig hunter and his five dogs - my attempt at a tasteful death scene ! 
