I knew the minute the ultrasound tech started looking under my arm. She was looking for enlarged lymph nodes. She said, "I'll have the radiologist talk to you about the results" I was certain. He said , "This is treatable, you'll be fine." Thanks, I think! One appointment led to another. I went to see the highly recommended surgeon. She said, "This is not going to kill you" Really? REALLY? That never crossed my mind. This was a 1.2 cm lump., with good pathology, not a death sentence. I chose the conservative approach, a lumpectomy. The post surgical pathology was favorable with no involved lymph nodes. Thank goodness!!
Chemo followed, four treatments, three weeks apart. The first one kicked me to the curb, I'm not gonna lie. The others were much more manageable. Gone was the fear of the unknown. You know what the worst part was? I lost my taste for chocolate!!! Chemo, I said "You can have my hair, but, you can't have my chocolate." (The taste came back, yay) Buying my wig was my favorite part! The sales person was pulling all of the salt and pepper styles, trying to match what I had. Ha, no way, I said, "Let me see that light brown one with highlights." This was my chance to reinvent myself, I was gonna be sassy! I even bought nine hats! What? They were on sale! And a new car!
Radiation followed, 35 treatments. At first, it was an inconvenience, but, then, it became a part of my daily routine. No real side effects to speak of there either. I'm one of the lucky ones and I know I've been lucky, I've been extremely lucky. And for all of you, my wish is similar good luck, good health and good fortune. We have the science to diagnose breast cancer and we have ways to fix it. Aren't we all lucky?
I'm finished now, it's over, it's what I had, it didn't have me. It did not define me, I am who I am, I HAD breast cancer, I don't have it any more!!!!
Baltimore, MD