Seems like yesterday that I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Almost ten years later the lingering thought of being a survivor of this disease resides in a small corner of my mind. 

 

Most times I don't bring up the subject but if I am around others sharing their own personal experiences about cancer I am obligated to share an abreviated version of my experience.

 

During the latter part of March 2000 I sat alone in a cold room waiting for the results of my mammogram which a year before showed no signs of malignancy.

 

There was no family history of breast cancer so I didn't give a second thought about hearing anything differently. Boy did that soon change!

 

The doctor on staff, with pale and ashened skin,,walked in and gave me the unexpected news. A lump appearing to be malignant was found in my left breast.

 

He advised me to follow up with my GP for direction.

 

Overwhelmed with the shocking diagnosis I immediately made an appointment to visit my GP. He referred me to a local surgeon whose name I recommended to him based on a referral from a friend of mine who had been diagnosed with the disease a year before. Thank God the surgeon was in my Network of providers according to my insurance plan.

 

During that time my son, a young aspiring DJ and entertainer, lived with me. My younger sister and her family lived within a mile of where I was.  Also there was a significant other in my life that appeared to be supportive. I shared my news with them and a few close co workers.

 

I don't ever remember asking "why me?" All that I wanted was to take the necessary steps to get the cancerous lump out of my body, get into treatment and move forward with my life, which at the time seemed to be going well. All that mattered to me was being positive and focused about my diagnosis and recovery.

 

On my first visit to the surgeon's office he reviewed my xrays and gave me a hopeful prognosis. I don't recall the scientific/medical lingo but he said "it's not like you are going to die or anything." Those words were very reassuring.

 

During the office visit I was scheduled for a lumpectomy two (2) weeks later. For anyone reading this blog who has had any type of serious health issues, being on a two week waiting list can seem like a life time! I think that I almost panicked with the thought of having to wait two weeks but I was reminded that I was not the only patient on the Dr's. list and that a two week wait was normal for this type of situation. The surgery was scheduled for early morning and I'd be released to go home the next day providing my vital signs were ok.

 

I was covered under FMLA and went on short term disability beginning in April 2000. During the weeks leading up to the surgery I kept myself busy by continuing to stay in physical shape with running. Up to the day of the mammogram I ran up to six miles a day at least four times a week. I also prepared to take a Real Estate Salesperson exam. I enrolled in the 9 week evening class before being diagnosed and was preparing to finish the course and take the test for a license.

 

Arriving at the hospital on the morning of the surgery I appeared cool, calm and collected on the outside but on the inside my heart raced. Thank God the day finally arrived! Shortly after arriving I was prepped and rolled into surgery. The surgeon met me and explained the procedure. In a soft, kind and assuring voice, he said that he'd make an incision around the site of the tumor, go in and remove it and he'd also make an incision into my armpit to get a sample of lymph nodes to evaluate for cancer invasion into my bloodstream. 

 

As I awakened from the surgery I could see the Dr. as he stood by the side of the bed. He confirmed the surgery went well. He also explained that their were 3 positive nodes in the sample of 19 removed from my armpit. Positive nodes meant cancer entered my blood stream. I was still woozy from the anesthesia but not so that I could not understand the alarming news of 'cancer entered my bloodstream.'  He gave me the name of an oncologist on his team that would come into my room and speak to me about chemotherapy before I left the hospital.  Just as the doctor advised, later the same day the oncologist came to my room, introduced himself and explained what I should expect during the chemotherapy sessions. He also mentioned that I should set up my appointment to begin treatments two weeks after my followup visit with the surgeon and upon completion of chemotherapy I would also undergo radiation treatments and take the drug tamoxifen.

 

During the two weeks between the follow up doctor visit a Nurses Aide, approved by the insurance provider, came into my home twice a week to show me how to care and clean the wound sites. On the followup visit with the surgeon the Licensed Nurse Practitioner examined the sites and was pleased with the way the scars were healing. She asked how I felt and wanted to know if I found the lump myself. I explained to her that the lump was found during my routine mammogram.  I suppose she was empathetic about my situation because she apologized and mentioned that chances of survival are greatly improved when the lymph nodes are negative and detect no signs of cancer. She also stated that she found people who were part of a support group tend to 'do better'. I immediately tuned in to 'do better'.  I asked her for all of the information available to her on support groups. She gave me the name of a person to contact at Morton Plant Hospital. Loaded with the time and date of the next breast cancer support group meeting I focused on 'do better.'

 

During my first support group meeting I was amazed to see ladies of all ages. Ranging from age 30 to over 70, positioned in a circle sharing information and giving each other encouragement. The myth of waiting to get a mammogram at age 40 was completely dispelled. Several shared being diagnosed with the disease before age 40; some had no family history of breast cancer. One shared that all of her nodes were positive but that had been over 30 years ago! Miracles do happen! I felt at home with this band of sisters and continued to attend meetings weekly.

 

The oncologist was in a quaint office located off of S. Martin Luther King Ave. During the first session I was surprised of the many older patients taking chemotherapy. Each session lasted about six hours. Through out the six month process of chemotherapy treatments my sister made sure that I had lunch on each visit. 

 

Shortly after beginning the treatments I continued to have enough energy to run, however running six miles a day, four times a week soon stopped after the second chemo session because my energy levels waned.

 

Along this journey to doing better I was re- acquainted with the aunt of my sister's husband. She invited me to her home so that  she could pray for me. ( I believe in the power of prayer)! I accepted her invitation. There in the living room of her home she anointed me with oil and began a prayer journey that I will never forget! Her voice rose to a crescendo as she asked me to "thank the Lord for your healing!" Over and over I thanked the Lord for my healing! We prayed and thanked the Lord for my healing again and again!

 

During the chemotherapy treatments I lost all of my hair but I never lost my positive spirit or my will to 'do better.' Sure I had my bad days but those days were the exception!

 

Shortly after returning to work in October 2000 I had one chemo session to undergo before beginning radiation treatments.  The treatments were in Morton Plant's Bardmoor location across the campus from my employer.  I was able to walk across the campus for the treatments and return back to work during lunch.  Radiation left me feeling slightly lethargic but I made it!

 

On last Wednesday, almost ten (10) years later, I had my regularly scheduled mammogram. Praises be to God I am healed and cancer free!

 

In the years since my diagnosis I have stumbled and lost material things BUT  I have not lost my will to get up and continue on. God has great plans for my life and He has the same for you.

 

Be Blessed