My story begins as many before me. On 10/29/13, I went for a routine mammogram and was asked to return for a diagnostic mammogram & ultrasound. I wasn’t overly concerned as I had the same thing happen when I had my first mammogram 5 years ago & there is no history of breast cancer in my family. So on 11/11/13, I went back to the clinic. As they did the ultrasound, I knew right away that something was wrong as I could see a black mass on the screen & the technician made a point of scanning my lymph nodes. Immediately following the procedure, I was informed that I needed a biopsy. On 11/18, the biopsy was performed without any complications but we’d have to wait several days for the results. Within 2 days, my doctor called to tell me I had Stage 2 or 3 Invasive Ductal Carinoma.
After taking a day or two to process the news, we began telling our family & friends. One of my co-hockey moms Dianne (our son's play ice hockey on the same team) contacted me after hearing the news to tell me that she was awaiting results from a biopsy she had performed the day before. A week to the day after my diagnosis, Dianne was diagnosed with stage 2 IDC. We spent the new few weeks crying on each other's shoulders, comparing notes from our doctors appointments and supporting one another. Our hockey organization immediately rallied around us and showed their support by placing breast cancer ribbons on the team jerseys and helmets. On 12/16, Dianne and I both underwent bilateral mastectomies with immediate reconstruction. The picture I have attached is of us in the hospital the day after our surgeries (Dianne on the left and me on the right).
While we are both in the beginning stages of this battle and have a year long journey of treatment ahead of us, I know that we will both win the fight. Cancer may be tough, but us hockey moms are much tougher!!
Winston-Salem, NC
