In December of 1988 I had my yearly mammogram. Have had yearly mammograms since I was 40 as my grandmother died of lung cancer when she was in her 50's and my mother died of stomach cancer in her 60's. My cancer was still quite small when they found it. I decided to have a mastectomy of the left breast, rather than the chemo and radiology treatments it would mean if I just had the cancer itself removed. After much reflection, I had my surgery in the fall of 1989. My daughter was still in high school and my son had just finished college and was taking his first job away from home. The surgery went well and I took Tamoxifin for a number of years without any ill effects. After the biopsy, even though I strongly suspected it would be cancer...I remember crying in the nurse's arms remembering what had happened to my mom and grandmother. I used up all my tears so that when I first saw my dear husband I had a smile on my face. So far, 21 years has passed (I just reached my 80th birthday) and look forward to each day. I try to keep active with walking and Tai Chi Keep a positive attitude. That is what has kept me going all these years!

Geri McCarthy
Brookfield, WI