The Howlong mum, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 and had a mastectomy and then treatment, was the first person to have a breast reconstruction done at Albury Hospital.

“I would have had to have my reconstructive surgery down in Melbourne – I have been on the wait list for two years,”
Mrs Lions said.

“I still hadn’t any word from them as to when the surgery was going to be, so once Queenie came and I was able to get surgery here so quickly, it was just awesome.

“To be able to have my surgery here locally made such a difference.

“I was looking forward to this surgery as an end-point, to say ‘I’m done with this cancer journey, I can put it behind me and get on with life’.”

Since Mrs Lions’ surgery, Dr Chan has performed an immediate reconstruction – done at the same time as a mastectomy – at Albury hospital for another Border mum.