A little over 7 years ago, a week before my 59th birthday, I happened to be home from work due to a bronchitis attack over the weekend. It was a Monday morning and I was on the couch resting. The phone rang, I answered, and was told that I need to have an ultrasound because my mammogram, a week prior, showed a lump on my right breast. I set up the appointment, hung up the phone, and felt the lump. I knew right then that it was cancer. Two days later I had the ultrasound. The tech said she was going to have a doctor come in to talk to me. The lady doctor who came in was very curt and matter-of-fact and said to me, "You have cancer and will have to have a mastectomy. I will call your doctor and let her know.", and she walked out of the room. Was I upset that I had cancer? Not in the least. I was upset because that doctor had no compassion let alone bedside manner. THAT'S what upset me. I went to my car, brushed the snow off it, and no sooner did I get in when my doctor called me. She said she was sorry about my bad news and would have her receptionist call me with a surgeon's phone number. I got that call within minutes and wrote down the surgeon's information. Within a week I was in the surgeon's office and set up an appointment for a biopsy. A few days later I had the biopsy and was told I could have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. I chose the lumpectomy and had it done 2 weeks later. A week and a half after that I went to a wonderful Oncologist and started chemo the following day. After 4 chemo treatments and a few weeks wait I started my radiation therapy. This picture was taken the same day of my last radiation treatment when I participated in the Relay for Life. I've been cancer free for 7 years and 5 months.

Fran
Cleveland, OH