My grandmother died from breast cancer when I was only 13 years old. Back then, no one really talked about such things, so I didn't understand why every time I saw my grandma she just looked sicker and sicker. Then she was gone. I never really knew what was going on until I was older.
My mom died 21 years ago this month, of breast cancer metastasized to the bone, and I swore to my sister that "the buck stops here". Two months after my mom died I had my first mammagram at the age of 29. I have never missed a checkup.
Two and a half years ago I was diagnosed with DCIS after a routine mammogram, and had a lumpectomy and radiation. I was angry, and sad, and scared. I never got married, adn adopted a baby girl whenn I was 37; she was just 11 when I had to tell her the news. 11 year olds don't understand that DCIS is the "good" kind of cancer. Frankly, I don't think 48 year olds understand it either. I had great friends and family for support, but it's still hard to be a "brave woman"...
Ten days from now I am going in for a bilateral mastectomy. I had gone in for a follow up ultrasound/mammogram as they'd seen something in my right breast 6 months prior. They decided to do the left as well, and discovered the DCIS was back. My most recent MRI also shows evidence of DCIS in the right breast as well. Good thing I'd already decided to get both done. My "reason for fighting" is now 13, and I can't imagine anything worse than being 13, unless it is being 13 and scared for Mom. Mammograms have saved my life twice.
Edmonds, WA