In October of last year a lump was found during an annual mammogram-just two weeks before my daughter's wedding which I was hosting at our small wedding venue in the country. Needless to say my husband and I were devastated and were faced with the decision of sharing that information before the wedding. I made the decision to wait-the tumor was ductal carcinoma in situ-slow growing and well within stage1 criteria (ER+PR+HER2-) My wonderful Doctors supported my decision and were poised to take it out immediately after the wedding. By the time the happy couple had returned from their honeymoon I had had the tumor removed via lumpectomy and we knew everything there was to know about my cancer.
Looking back over the past couple of years I realize I ignored warning signs and carried on a lifestyle that was literally killing me. I had a dimple in my right breast, tenderness under my right arm, I wasn't sleeping well, I was eating too much red meat and drinking too much wine. I wasn't choosing organic foods and I heated plastic in the microwave. I had an active lifestyle but had stopped all rigorous exercise due to a bad hip so my weight was adding to the problem. What I didn't have was any significant hereditary factors...so the news was soon out of left field-but that's why I ignored the signs! (I will add here that my dog had started acting funny! She wanted to be by me more...Now since I don't believe in that hUlla-Ballu, I say this with great trepidation-but it is true...)
What I know:
Mammogram saves lives
Cancer isn't picky-don't ignore signs because you don't have family history
Be particular about your cancer resources but definitely learn/know your body!
I hope I have influenced others to get their heads out of the sand and get their mammograms-ignoring doesn't mean it isn't there!!!
9 months out and I am getting back to a new normal. I am looking forward to my first annual mammogram so I can confirm what I already know-I am cancer free!
Lampasas, TX
