One week to the day after my husband came home from deployment, I found a lump in my breast. It had just been our 2 year old and myself for a year now we were ready to restart our life. But, I went to the doctor, they sent me to an ultrasound, then to a surgeon who removed the lump which at that point grew to 2.8cm. Then I got the news. Its breast cancer. Stage 2A Ductal Carcinoma. "The good kind'. But he wanted to take my breasts with no real other option. I said send me to a cancer center. So off to Nashville I went with amazing doctors who said you are in control of your cancer. After another surgery, it was onto chemo.
I just kept thinking, how am I going to get through this. How am I going to deal with the pain and the exhaustion? I would look at my son and realize he was the light at the end of my tunnel. I went to all of my treatments, And when I got tired, I would snuggle with him and say I am going to see you graduate and dance with you at your wedding. I had to. I had no choice in the matter. I am 'too young, I'm only 32' to have this happen to me. I was NOT ready to leave my son. So I pushed through chemo, and radiation. I just kept thinking I have to be almost done. Then finally came the last chemo and then the last radiation. I was there, at the finish line and finally came the mammogram to tell me if it had all worked. The test that would say, let's remove the port.
So after 3 surgeries, 9 1/2 chemo, and 28 radiation, I am done. And today I can say I am cancer free. Hair can grow back, the body will heal itself but it couldn't have done that if I had chosen to take care of myself for my son and my husband because I was not ready to leave yet.
Edmonton, KY
