I am a 59 year old african american woman. For the last 7 years I have been on disability from a C-Spine fusion and other ailments which consumed my life and daily activities. I only saw my orthopedic doctors and neglected to see my PCP. I KNEW BETTER, because my mother died in 1999 from breast cancer! I was under a great deal of stress, because of my disability. I lost my home I grew up in, I was no longer making the income I had been and it just seemed like the walls were closing in on me. I met a couple who told me they have a beautiful home in the High Desert and they didn't have to pay all the money they were receiving just to live in a nice area. That weekend I came out to the High Desert to look for myself. I didn't find anything that weekend, but I liked what I saw. Within the next month or so I found the beautiful, peaceful home I live in now. Because of this move I had to find a new PCP. She ordered a mammogram (something I hadn't done in 7years). The mammogram showed something, next I had an MRI, then an ultra sound, and finally a biopsy which confirmed cancer in my right breast. When the oncologist told me I had cancer, I was stunned, and angry. Angry only at myself for not taking better care of myself. I walked slowly out of his office to my car. I cried, no, I bawled! I called family members and a few good friends who began praying for me. After about 10 minutes I felt better and was able to drive home. Family and friends continued praying for me and I contined to get stronger. I opted for a double mastectomy with reconstruction which was on 6/10/14. I thank God for the wonderful doctors, my family, true friends who helped me through this ordeal. To those reading this article, please get your check ups. You'll be glad you did, so you never hear, 'you have cancer'.

Debra Baldridge
Adelanto, CA