It began March 24th 2006, I took a day off of work and planned to take my kids to the movies and lunch. As I was getting ready I felt a lump on one side of my left breast. It didn't hurt and it was an odd shape, which scared me. I check myself on a regular basis because of a BENIGN tumor that was found 3 years prior I spent an hour in my room debating whether to ignore or call the doctor. I finally made the call, they got me right in. The doctor assured me that cancer at 38 was not common, most likely a cyst, but scheduled me for a mammogram and ultra sound for Monday the 27th.
I received a call from my doctor the morning after, he informed me that I needed to see a surgeon right away, due to the calcification clusters that were found. My Husband and I met with the surgeon that very afternoon and had surgery scheduled for the 30th to remove the lump.
I was still thinking positive, this was not cancer, until my husband informed me after the surgery that the one lump had turned two since my mammogram and that we needed to call the surgeon the next afternoon.
It was official, I had cancer. Stage 3 no less. My world just stopped. I did not have time to let it all sink in though, we had to move fast. Within a week I was in for a left breast mastectomy and 3 weeks was meeting my oncologist.. By June I was starting Chemo. This went on until October 13th 2006.
When I went for my first post chemo exam I was in remission!!!
I have been cancer free for 7 years and counting. I have been blessed. It all truly sucked but I believe I am a stronger person because of it. I am a fighter and now a winner.
Westland, MI