At age 43 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My youngest son was three years old. I was always wise about my body since I was a nurse and made it a habit to lookout for changes in my body. I would always give myself a self-exam, not knowing that breast cancer ran on my mother side of the family. Unfortunately, I did not know much about my family since my Great Grandmother raised me. Therefore, it’s so important to talk to your family about your health and family health. I had just had a DNC due to having an irregular period. I was put on all kinds of hormone medicine as well as birth control medicine. Additionally, I had my tubes tied. Eventually, my periods went back to normal. Thank God, at least I thought.
The very next month, I found this lump on my right breast while taking my bath. Within that time frame I had just had a mammogram, which never showed anything. So, I scheduled an appointment with my doctor and was checked. He could not tell me anything at that time, so he immediately scheduled an appointment with the surgery department to remove the lump. I just like to say if you do not feel comfortable with your doctor or nurse always request to see another. My surgeon had the nerve to say that he was not able to aspirate my lump at that time and if I could come back after his golf tournament. My answer was, “NO!” I need this lump out this week that it could be taken out by any surgeon and so it was done the next day by the doctor himself. I had to wait for pathology to give the results of the tests, so it took about two weeks before I was seen again. I really didn’t mind the wait because I know that whatever it was the lump was out. But yes, it was bad news, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. So, I had to have radiation treatments for 30 days straight. Thankfully, I had plenty of support from my family, friends, and church family. I thank God that I am not a person that will just keep things to myself so I would share my health problems to anyone who would listen. You just don’t know who you are able to help. After the 30 days of treatments, I had to undergo 8 treatments of chemotherapy, it was done every two weeks. I then went on disability for a year. I did lose all my hair and stayed sick. But I just could not give up! God fixed it for me that I had more being sick, than I had when I was working every day.
Reoccurrence in 2003
After being on a medication called tamoxifen for 7 years, I was taken off the meds. Unfortunately, approximately 3 months later, I had a reoccurrence but on my left breast, like before, I was able to find the lump. This time, I told my doctor that I wanted my breasts to be removed, I just could not live worrying about it ever coming back in my breasts, so I had a total mastectomy having both breasts removed. But at my age I was tested to see if any cancer cells traveled in my lymph nodes that is located under your armpits. And yes, I had some travel there into my body, so this time I had to have another eight treatments of chemotherapy again! I was off from work another year. I went through the hair loss and the sickness, again. But this time I was able to retire from my job early. Moreover, I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. This will not stop me from trying to help someone else. I am proud to say that I am a member of sister organization. This organization has so much information, referrals, and a great support system. We all are living testimonies of God’s goodness Now; I just like to be able to share my story to help where I can in every way. One more thing is that now I wear a prosthesis and I am allowed to get three new bras every year and one set of prosthesis once every three years. For those who like to swim they have a special one for that as well. I had a choice to have breast reconstruction done but it would take a major surgery that was to remove the fat from my stomach area and put it in the place of my breasts, but I did not choose that option. I just thank God that I am still here! For peace, I continue to pray, read my Bible, listen to positive advice, and live each day as if it’s my last. Rejoice in the Lord! I am grateful to say, I am a two-time breast cancer survivor.”
