My story began 14 years ago when a routine mammogram showed what turned out to be a “small grape-like cluster of cysts.” Because my Mom had breast cancer and had passed away less than a year before, a surgical consult was recommended. Since then I have been having semi-annual check ups with my surgeon. Fast-forward to January 9, 2014 and what was to be a routine mammography and check-up. When they called me in for films a third time, I just knew in my gut that I had breast cancer. After films, a sonogram and consult with the radiologist, I went upstairs to see my surgeon. After doing an exam and sonogram, my surgeon did a biopsy himself, THAT DAY.
On January 13th, at 7:50 A.M. the secretary at work came to my office to tell me that I had a call. It was my surgeon calling me himself to tell me he needed to see me in his office “TODAY.” A few hours later I found myself sitting along with one of my closest friends in my surgeon’s office. After going over the findings and options, my surgeon walked us out to his surgical coordinator to set up surgery and pre-ops. Within 3 hours of parking my car, I had met with the doctor, scheduled surgery, and taken care of 2 out of 3 pre-surgical appointments. On January 15th, I had a lumpectomy and was CANCER FREE a mere 6 days after the tumor was found! We caught it early, Stage I. The tumor was small, only 1.3 centimeters, but as my oncologist said it was “angry” so we followed up with chemotherapy and radiation. Today, 10 months later, I am living my “new normal”, as a breast cancer survivior, which includes sharing my experience and supporting others on their journeys with cancer.
Cedarhurst, NY
