FOR the Barrera family, Mother’s Day usually consists of homemade breakfast in bed, with plenty of crafts and baking with seven-year-old Amina, and this year will be no different.

But, in January 2020, when Dee Barrera was first diagnosed with rare Stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer, a simple day at home in two years’ time was almost out of the question.

Following her diagnosis, Dee underwent an intense multitargeted treatment plan, which included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and a unilateral mastectomy.

“My oncologist told me that he wouldn't let me die,” she said.

“Thankfully, the treatment combination chosen by my medical team worked for me and I could not be more grateful … I did trust them, and I trusted the process … I also put all my energy into getting better - I wanted to live.”

Two years on, and cancer-free, Dee said she has finally started to feel like herself again.

She has just started a new role as program manager at Standing Tall in Hamilton and can mow the lawns at home and drive the full journey from Hamilton to Melbourne without needing a full day’s recovery after - a true indication of her recovery.

Dee and her husband, Bryan founded Hamilton parkrun and have played an active role in the community for years – during her treatment, the family were overwhelmed by the support of the Hamilton community.

“We could not thank everyone enough for the way they all rallied around us,” she said.

“It was like having a big warm ''socially-distanced" hug every day.

“Everyone made us feel loved and valued, and it really helped me with my fight to stay alive and believe that I was loved and worthy.

“When lockdowns eased and I could go for socially distanced walks, I had an endless line up of people willing to walk with me.”

While Dee remains cancer free, her journey to recovery is not yet over – a postponed breast reconstruction, originally scheduled for July 2021 and tentatively booked in for July this year will be another big step toward full recovery.

She said she was looking forward to finally having the surgery and no longer having the temporary breast expander in her body.

“It is incredibly uncomfortable as it is solid and presses against my chest … it was placed there during my mastectomy surgery in July 2020 and is filled with about 600ml of saline,” she said.

“I also have to wear a prosthetic breast to make me look somewhat normal and be able to wear my tops comfortably. 

“It will be good to feel comfortable in my own skin again … I have to modify everything I do at the moment so it will be nice to not have to do that.”

While cancer treatments saw Dee lose her hair, daughter Amina grew hers out for a good cause – donating 14 inches of hair to Variety Children’s Charity to be made into a wig for a child.

“She told us that she wanted to cut her hair short again, like she had it in early 2020, and asked us if she could donate her hair to make a wig,” Dee said.

“She was so proud of herself … she received a thank you certificate from Variety.

“(It was) a very proud moment for us as her parent … I will be honest; we were not surprised about her request to do this or her decision being around helping kids.”