The photo I have attached is me with my best friend in the world, my mother. Her name is Harriett and she's 64. In December of 2013, after approximately two years of bleeding and pain from her left breast (with no detection of it in a mammogram), she was diagnosed with high grade ductal carcinoma and invasive ductal carcinoma.
Monday, January 6th at 9 AM, she will undergo a lumpectomy and removal of her nipple (and I'm assuming the milk duct); later, she will have radiation. Of course, an eventual mastectomy and chemotherapy are possible, but that is a worst-case scenario.
This site has been a great comfort to me during this time. If I could take the cancer away from her and deal with it myself, I gladly would ... although I know that wouldn't make her any happier. She's both my best friend and my mother, and the thought of anything happening to her makes me sick to my stomach. However, we are happy to have a great surgeon in Greensboro, NC (Dr. Streck if anyone knows him) and are praying for her to heal fully. I can't imagine my life without her!
Thank you for your daily inspiration, for your brave fights, and for your incredible spirit. This site has been a true blessing. Please pray/send positive vibes/whatever it is you do to put goodness out into the world for my mother, Harriett Phipps, on Monday morning at 9:00 AM EST if you think of it. She isn't on Facebook, but I continue to share the light and positivity of this website with her!
Julian, NC
