TOLD years ago there was "no way" she would be able to have children after cancer treatment, Kahlie Watkins' voice quivers, just slightly, when she speaks of being a new mum, again - to eight-week-old twins.
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After her gruelling experience of breast cancer fears, denial, diagnosis and treatment, the mum and stepmum to six describes feeling blessed, angry, overwhelmed and complete, all at once.
And through it all, she's retained her sense of humour. When her mother-in-law pops in, Mrs Watkins asks her to please go to the shops: "We have no bread, and I need to feed the children. That's one of my duties; I probably should do that," she says wryly.
Mrs Watkins spoke to the Leader after feeding her new babies, fraternal twins Lily and Ava.
They're the children she and husband Michael never expected, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in her late 20s, then hit "really hard with some serious treatment": chemo, radiation and hormonal therapy.
"I was told: 'There is no way you'll be able to have any more children because of all the chemicals' - that was a little hard to take," Mrs Watkins said.
"I had three stepkids and my son at the time, so I couldn't complain, but it was just something else cancer took away from me that I didn't have control of.
"It was pretty heavy at the time, but after a little while, you just accept it."
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The Watkins family now live at Coffs Harbour, but were visiting their old hometown when Lily and Ava were born at Tamworth hospital on November 2.
"I just feel like they've brought my husband and I definitely a lot closer, and all the kids are just absolutely smitten with the girls," Mrs Watkins said.
"As hard as it is - and exhausting ... I wouldn't have it any other way. We feel very, very blessed."
Mrs Watkins is doing well three years post-treatment, and said she'd gained some valuable knowledge for herself and others.
"Now I'm well and truly on top of my health and ... if something's wrong, I go and get it checked," she said.
"I had my lump for two years [and] even though I kept showing my doctor ... I was told it was nothing to be concerned about."
She said everyone, male and female, should "just check yourself".
"If you have any little bit of doubt or that sick feeling ... please listen to your gut and get a professional to have a look - and if you're not happy with the answer, find someone else to have a look."
Carolyn Millet
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
