On September 29, 2004, I heard the words over the phone that no one wants to hear as they await biopsy results. "You tested positive. It is ductile carcinoma in situ." In that moment, my life came to a screeching halt. The nurse informed me to get the name of a good breast surgeon.
So at 44 years of age I had surgery, 7 1/2 weeks of radiation and then tamoxifen. Sixteen months later, my liver decided it did not like tamoxifen. I told the oncologist I was afraid after I stopped taking the tamoxifen. He simply told me not to worry because they were taking such good care of me. So I continued to see him, the breast surgeon and the women's center at Magee Woman's Hospital in the Burgh. Indeed, they did continue to take very good care of me.
Five years later, there are moments throughout my week that I fear a recurrence. If it grew in my body once, will it do so again? Do all of these foods and drinks with antioxidants really work? Or is it that nuclear power plant where I used to work? Or is it that cancer gene on my mom's side of the family? Or..
Five years later, I am a different woman. I am a grateful woman for being able to see my daughter march in her college graduation ceremony. I am a woman whose heart aches for children with cancer. I am a woman who wants to rescue every abused dog in the world. I am a woman who is so happy that the sun comes up every morning and that I am alive to see it. Most importantly, I am a woman who loves more deeply than ever before.
Monaca, PA