I first heard those words "You have breast cancer" in 1996 when my third son was only three and I was 43. The diagnosis came at the peak of my career as a patent attorney for a well established biotechnology company in the San Francisco Bay Area. Like most women who get breast cancer I had no family history. And I was a vegetarian and a runner. But I realized it can happen to anyone.
Back then the sentinel lymph node biopsy technology had not yet been invented to test lymph nodes for cancer spread. So the surgeon simply removed 14 lymph nodes. All were negative for cancer, but I got lymphedema, a swelling in my arm caused by the surgery. Praise God that my lymphedema is mild and I can do most things with the arm if I am careful and wear a daily compression sleeve.
The second time I got breast cancer was in 2003. This time I was more prepared for the onslaught of treatment that ensued. I benefited from the research that had been carried out between my first diagnosis and the second one. In 2006 I received Herceptin, a drug targeted to my type of cancer.
Today I am cancer free and enjoying life to the max. I continue to run and ski and enjoy biking with my grown sons. The biggest joy has been to see my youngest son graduate from high school last year and become engaged this year.
I learned from this journey what compassion really means. I give back to my community by serving as a Reach to Recovery volunteer for the American Cancer Society and a patient-advocate for the National Lymphedema Network. I'm thankful each morning for the sunrises I'm privileged to see. Nothing short of a miracle.
Paradise, CA