A Personal Journey

Having just ended a draining, seven-year relationship, I needed to do something to help my state of mind. I took up walking, initially out of hurt and anger, but then after several weeks, I noticed the change in my body. I was beginning to lose weight and feel better about myself.

One night after my walk, a felt a hardness in my right breast while taking a shower. I knew immediately what it was. I had noticed a rash around my right arm that would not heal, but I thought it was a heat rash from doing so much walking. I can't tell you how long I stood stunned in the shower and prayed. Then I pulled myself together and thought, "This is not a death sentence, so get to a doctor."

Not really knowing what kind of doctor to consult, I called my OB/GYN and he had me come in immediately. A physical exam and mammogram confirmed my fears - it was cancer.

I decided it was time to tell someone, so I called my mom. She was calm, but I knew from her voice she was being strong for me. I then told my sisters and my three best friends. I swore them to secrecy because I didn't want to hear about other people's experiences, especially if their outcomes were not good.

The mass was seven centimeters, and there was no way the breast could be saved. I had a radical mastectomy. I decided I was not going to get off that operating table without a chest, so I opted for borrowing tissue from the left breast to help rebuild the right breast. I told the medical team that we were going to do everything that needed to be done in one operation, because I was not coming back.

I had three wonderful female surgeons working on me that day, and when I woke up, they had good news for me. They found no cancer in my lymph nodes, and as a bonus, I got a great-looking tummy tuck.

I did have to have chemotherapy and radiation. The chemo was like having an elephant sitting on your chest and by the time he got up, it was time for him to sit on you again. The nurses told me to drink plenty of fluids as they began to administer the chemo and it wouldn't be so bad. They were right.

I asked the Lord to let me keep my hair for one more day, because I wanted to go dancing. He said "yes," and after I returned home, I ran the comb through my hair three times and I was bald. I was ready for it because I had bought six different wigs - long, short, mid-length, and even one that was not my usual color. I must say, I became a different person each time I put one on. I looked gorgeous!

While undergoing chemo, I assigned all my friends dates to come with me. I knew every day was a fight for survival, and help from friends was welcomed.

After the chemo came the radiation. I got up every morning and walked, and then went for my five-minute dose of radiation. It wasn't so bad. The way people had described it to me, I thought it would turn me into a crispy critter. I did turn a few shades darker, but my skin tone eventually returned.

When it was over, I knew I had to share my experience with others and help others learn how to fight. I am now a Reach to Recovery volunteer for the American Cancer Society and an eight-year survivor.

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/10_01_02/page_21.html