I am a 44 year old wife and mother of 5 amazing children. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2007. After having a lumpectomy, I was informed that they didn't get it all. I went back in to have my left breast removed. During this time, my older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.
When I was a teenager, my mother had a mastectomy and recieved Chemotherapy. It was a very scary time for me. As I went through my treatment, I communicated often with my then 13 year old daughter, as well as my older children, that it was the treatment making me look and feel so sick. I didn't want my children to go to bed at night worrying like I had done when I was a teen, that their mom might not be there in the morning.
I have been blessed with support from friends, family, and neighbours, who cared for not only me, my my family as we have gone through this trying time. Their love and support was, and still is appreciated, as I have learned that the whole family experiences the illness together, not just the patient.
It has been almost three years now, and I am still waiting to get my reconstruction surgery. I still suffer from side effects from my treatment. I sometimes wonder if I will ever wake up and not think of the loss of my breast, or the possability of my children going through the same struggle.
At the end of the day, I thank God that I am still here with my family, and that my sister and mother have also survived.
Let's all help out in finding a cure.
Sincerely,
Linda deJager
Grimsby ON
Canada
Grimsby, Canada