SOME people climb mountains for exercise but 33-year-old Stacey Charbachi’s “mountain climb” needs a particular brand of “muscle”.
Five weeks after giving birth to her second child, Sam, in 2007, she was diagnosed with breast cancer – so beginning the ascent.
“(You can) stand around the bottom dwelling on how huge and how difficult the climb is or take a breath and just start walking,” the mother of two wrote in her newly released book Climbing Mountains.
“I wasn’t sure that I could move it (the mountain) but I was determined to reach the top.”
Stacey told The Catholic Leader faith has guided the climb.
“The only strength I have comes from Jesus,” she said.
“Studying scriptures especially about topics like fear, grief and faith is what I draw on in times when I’m down.
“I don’t know any other way except through prayer and petition to God to pick me up.”
Presuming a lump in her breast during pregnancy was a “clogged duct” the Mum to Lidiah, now 5, and Sam, 2, said cancer was the “furtherest thing” from her mind.
“When we found out the news our world was rocked to the core,” she said.
“I was petrified I would die and leave my two children behind.”
Spurred by “believing and visualising living a long, healthy life” and with husband Roby’s unwavering support, the former student from Maryfields primary school, Kingston, and St Francis College, Crestmead, said she wrote Climbing Mountains to fulfil a childhood dream of “making a difference in the world somehow”.
“The book came about from me just writing, as per usual, all the raw emotions I felt racing around in my heart and my mind,” Stacey said.
“My ‘mountain’ was overcoming cancer – the treatment and all the related surgeries (like a) lumpectomy, mastectomy and later (a) reconstruction.
“The mountain consisted of all the things that presented throughout treatment including hair loss, breast loss, depression, anxiety and fear.”
Other childhood dreams revolved around something already achieved – having a family.
“My dreams were to grow up and shower my children with unconditional love first and foremost,” Stacey said.
“The four of us adore each other and value our family time.
“We would love more of it as Roby works seven days per week, so we lap up family barbecues and trips to the park whenever we can.”
So devoted is Roby to his wife that he shaved his own head bald, as a surprise, on the same day Stacey revealed she’d lost all of hers.
Soaking up family time and ever-conscious of how precious life is, Stacey admitted the death of Jane McGrath, the wife of former Australian Test cricketer Glenn McGrath, (from breast cancer) affected her own perspective.
“The news of Jane’s passing sent me into a sad state for days,” she said.
“It’s one of those things I guess when you hear about other women, especially young women who succumbed to the illness, it brings back a lot of fear about my own situation.”
Also finding strength in an extensive family network and with other believers, prayer remains at the heart of the Stacey’s lifestyle.
“When you’re in constant relationship with the Holy Spirit prayer is a natural part of life,” she said.
“I talk to Jesus at the traffic lights or in the shopping centre … Prayer is not restricted to a building or a state of mind.
“In my life I seek the truth in the Word and His (God’s) voice through the Holy Spirit.
“In addition to that I take particular time out as well to pray for the needs on my heart whether it be my own needs or the needs of others.
“I do this alone, with my kids and in group prayer with other Christians.”
Prayer has helped Lidiah especially come to terms with changes at home.
“Lidiah knew that I was sick and the doctor had to take my breast away,” Stacey said.
“She knew I had to go to the hospital frequently for ‘medicine’ and while I was away her ‘Ninny’ would take care of her and she knew that Mummy had no hair because of the ‘medicine’.
“We remained positive and she was strong throughout.
“We didn’t talk to her about dying, we just prayed for Mummy to get better.
“(And) she has been able to really see how I have become much better and more active and well as time has passed.”
The passing of time has brought more positivity.
“I have been cleared of cancer, praise God,” Stacey said enthusiastically.
“I will reach five years clear in January 2012 (then) I will stop seeing my oncologist and surgeon on a regular basis.
“We are all travelling a journey – sometimes our path has wide open spaces, sometimes luscious green pastures and sometimes challenging mountains that cause us some pain.
“This (diagnosis and recovery) was like climbing one of those challenging mountains.”
Climbing Mountains was released to coincide with October as National Breast Cancer Awareness month.
To order a copy or find out more go to www.climbingmountains.com.au
