On February 21, 2013 at age 43 I heard those dreaded words, you have cancer. For me, it came as no surprise. Although I religiously got my yearly mammogram, I missed the last one. As another hectic school year began, my daughter entered her freshman year and my son his sophomore year. For some reason I missed my September appointment. In January 2013, as I was showering, I felt something in my right breast. Suddenly, I heard my grandmother, who passed away with breast and lymph node cancer, say, “make your appointment, its cancer, it will be okay.” Immediately I made an appointment and was diagnosed with cancer in my right breast. After several tests, 4 days later, I was diagnosed with cancer in my left breast as well. This diagnosis made my decision easier. I would have a bilateral mastectomy which I did on March 1.
I was determined to not let cancer define me, I would define it. Five weeks after surgery, I returned to teaching and jogging. I continued working even during my chemo treatments. I was even able to run two 5Ks during chemo. I am not going to lie, chemo sucked. I even thought I was going to die after my first chemo as I felt like my body was burning from the inside out. I even got hand, foot, mouth disease from chemo.
I believe that my cancer has been harder on my family than me. The most difficult thing was actually telling my children. Even though I have assured my daughter that I don’t carry the gene, I know she worries about her future, as well as me.
I know that my journey will continue over the next year 10 years with oncology appointments and tamoxifen, but I am at peace with it. I am blessed with an incredible family, friends, and exceptional doctors. My daughter once told me, “You don’t act like you have cancer.” The truth of the matter is, I have never worried about it because I know I have a guardian angel watching over me = love you grandma!
Orrville, OH
