In June 1974, at 32 years old, I was diagnosed with very early stage breast cancer in my right breast. I was the first person that at that time was allowed to have a biopsy separate from any possible surgery The biopsy was positive, I was the first person at my hospital to be allowed to have a modified radical.) It was a very small lump, there were no affected lymph nodes and no cancer cells found outside the lump. I had only surgery. The odds someone my age would survive for 5 years were 50/50.
I decided to become really pro-active on my own behalf. I became willing to do whatever I had to do in order to survive...to question anything, to look at anything, to change anything I needed to.
I became vegetarian, began a regimen of intensive psychotherapy and learned to meditate, which was a very slow process. It took me five years to be able to sit still and be with myself for a half an hour. It's been many years and I'm still meditating.
I stopped eating refined carbohydrates and stopped drinking alcohol 25+ years ago. Stopped smoking a year after my mastectomy. (the alcohol and tobacco have both been found to make a recurrence more likely.).
In January 2007, at 65, I was again diagnosed with breast cancer in the left breast. The lump was 2 cm and I had one affected node. I had chemo a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. I had the absolutely best medical care. I had a team of friends and doctors that supported me to the max. Through great complementary care I had no side effects from chemo other than hair loss. I know I will survive this too and continue to do what i'm here to do.
Oakland, CA
