April 3, 2000, on my husband's parents 65th Wedding Anniversary Celebration-which we could not attend, I was in surgery with 3rd stage breast cancer-had mastectomy-left breast-eight lymp nodes removed.
I never finished chemo IV treatments, before ending up in the hospital dehydrated, blood low + pneumonia-stayed there around two weeks-nearly died. Many breathing tests, numerous test, including biopsies of both lungs-six shots in my stomach-given two units of blood. As many as pleased, could visit, some I could not remember their coming-lots of cards and flowers.
Later, I went through 33 radiation treatments. My port a cath is still in, because I had the kind of surgery-the surgeon said, that is like crab grass--think they got it all, but, it can come back any time, anywhere, including on the same side or in my brain. I go every three months to have it flushed out. Now, I only see the oncologist once each year. I was close to insanity-which the radiation oncologist said was chemo brain. I felt that I would live that way the rest of my life. When I was still in bad shape, the doctors had run every test they could think of, trying to see if I had blood clots in my lungs, but never proved it, so the insurance left three things the oncologist could do.put me in rehab, a nursing home, or send me home.
Our Savior, whom died for our sins, decided to leave me here.
April 3, 2010, I will have survived ten years-thankful to be here with my loved ones + friends, serving Jesus-wife of a wonderful man + minister-married 50 yrs. 3-21-09
Anne Hood
Atoka-near Memphis, TN
