My story parallels many other cancer sagas. I found a lump in my right breast a month before my annual mammogram. The next day I was scheduled for a biopsy. A week later I was told I had breast cancer. What might be a little different for me is I knew the lump I felt in the shower on June 12, 2013 was malignant. I was prepared for this fight. I knew it wasn't going to be easy because 30 years prior I watched my brother in law fight cancer that he beat but it cost him a leg.
My first surgery consisted of a lumpectomy and an auxiliary dissection. Pathology reported to my surgeon that the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, my surgeon then removed14 nodes in addition to the first four for testing. It was a set back but I knew I was strong and I wasn't alone. I will get through it!
A week after surgery I had an appointment to see my surgeon. He informed me that the cancer was very aggressive. There was more then one tumor, which I knew from the previous ultrasound, but they also found many small "satellite" tumors. The two larger tumors were graded a 3 (not good) and I had what was called Triple Negative BC. A nasty little cancer that loves to rear it's ugly head when you think you are cured. It was another set back but I wasn't facing this alone and I was strong! I was steady as a rock just when my surgeon delivered the next blow...my margins weren't clean I needed another surgery. Through tears I muttered I am strong and I am not alone....I lied, even with my husband Lance by my side I trembled inside, felt weak, and completely alone.
Two weeks into 4 months of chemo I had a surprise chemo-buddy, my brother in law Blaine. Cancer reared its ugly head again. He would be in the fight with me! We both finished chemo and radiation and are proud to say WE ARE STRONG, NOT ALONE, AND CANCER FREE!
Two Rivers, WI
