In 1991 I was 45 and my mammogram was due and my GYN suggested I have that before my hysterectomy so I made an appointment at a new center as my old center had been closed. One week before my surgery I was called by the imaging center asking me where I had my last pictures as they wanted to check something on the pictures but not to worry so I went on with my surgery. A month later they sent me a letter saying I need some more pictures They spotted a potential tumor that I needed to have it biopsied - in 1991 biopsy was surgery. I had that on December 6, 1991 and was told I was clear but on a later slide there was cancer. I did a lumpectomy on December 18 and followed with radiation. There followed many mammograms and a couple of needle biopsies.
In 2008 as I made my mammogram appointment I had a feeling that again I would face Cancer and so I was not surprised when I was told I needed to have another biopsy. When the doctor did the needle biopsy I told him that it would come back positive and I was right although he removed all the tumor in the biopsy. On October 6, 2008 I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction begun on the table. What we did not know was there was a tumor that did not show up on the mammogram and it had invaded so it was back to surgery to have lump nodes removed. The OncotypeDX test showed that I got to choose if I wanted to do chemo or hormone treatment. I chose hormones treatment and I am still on them for three more years.
I am so thankful for my family and for my church family who continue to support me as I finish this period in my life. My faith has held me up through all of this and I wish all patients had the super doctors I had and a deep faith that would carry them through this illness!
Amarillo, TX