As Brad Paisley sings…."you are not supposed to say cancer in a song.” Also, you are not supposed to tell an otherwise healthy woman, with no family history of Breast Cancer at the age of 32 that she does in fact have Stage 2 Breast Cancer. Well, that is what happened on Monday, May 2, 2011 at about 9:30 pm as I sat in the doctor’s office with my husband, mother and father.
However, the weird thing looking back is, I almost in way a felt relieved, I had an answer to the lump I found in my arm pit. I like answers, maybe not this one, but that is part of life. For those who know me, know that I am a very focused person…if there is a problem, here is the solution, let’s get it done!!
My husband Brian, family, friends and I took on this awful diagnosis with a positive attitude. We refused to let something like cancer keep us down! I considered myself a healthy woman with cancer…and I would win this battle just like I had any other challenge I had taken on in my life.
After my official diagnosis, surgery was scheduled for June 28, 2011. I needed to enjoy all the happiness that was taking place in my family which included my cousin Jake’s 8th grade graduation, my cousin Sara’s high school graduation, my cousin Irene’s College Graduation. Additionally, my brother Leo and I had graduations from Graduate school. The big family event was the wedding of my brother Ed and Victoria. Life has too much to offer to let cancer rule the day!
Following surgery, I had 16 rounds of chemotherapy from August through December 2011. This was 8 treatments and 2 months longer than initially planned. A set back? NO! This was my body telling me it needed a little more time to rid itself of cancer. What is the difference of two more months of treatment vs. another 40, 50, maybe even 60 years of living? I CAN DO THIS!
Through it all I continued to smile with my shiny bald head. No matter how I looked, my wonderful husband, family and friends, never wavered in their support and love. Once chemo was done, I had 28 treatments of radiation from February through March 2012.
I always told the wonderful doctors, nurses and medical staff that helped me through my journey….you are all the best people that I wish I did not have the pleasure of meeting. However, I am forever grateful for their dedication and knowledge. Their willingness to listen, explain, encourage and most importantly smile really helped me in this battle!
Once school was completed in June of 2012, I had my 2nd stage breast reconstruction surgery. At this point I am seeing doctors just for check-ups! Nothing beats the feeling of hearing…I will see you back in 3 months, 6 months or 1 year…that will never get old! This is something that I hope will continue the rest of my lifeJ With the support of our family and friends, Brian and I were able to stay positive even through the darkest days. Our motto, was PUMPING the POSITIVITY… we used this motto when we did the Susan G. Komen Walk in May 2012 and the Avon 2 Day, 39 mile walk in October 2012. We will continue to use it throughout our lives.
I continue to share my story with friends, family and even strangers if they ask. Knowledge is power and if I can help just one woman or man detect breast cancer early then I have done my part!
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