Understanding Breast Cancer
Iowa Breast Cancer Edu-action has become a very important part of my life as I live with breast cancer. Fifteen months ago I was in the busy whirlwind of life. I had a job that kept me very busy, family life was good, my kids were growing up, I only had my son left at home and his senior year in high school was about to begin. And then. . . I had my screening yearly mammogram and life came to a snail's pace.
One minute I was hurrying from this meeting to that appointment and the next thing I was waiting, waiting for answers that couldn't come fast enough for me. Looking back at the time frame it all happened in less than two weeks. At the time it seemed an eternity. I had my stereotactic breast biopsy and found out my test results the next day. I had my lumpectomy five days later - by my choice. (I was still dedicated to my job and it's needs.) I soon realized my personal needs needed to take priority. The wait for the final pathology report seemed like years. Good news. My lymph nodes were clear and my tumor was 0.8 centimeters at it's greatest point. Yeah! Then the wait, more time to heal,appointments with the radiation and oncologist specialists. For a brief two weeks after going back to work waiting for healing, life seemed normal again.
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Then radiation . . . once it started the realization of what I was having done to prevent a recurrence sunk in. The treatments themselves weren't bad. However, the daily trips in for my treatments dragged on. I never had weeks go by so slowly. I wanted it over and behind me. I wanted my life back as it was before. |
But I know now that will never happen. I have breast cancer and I am a survivor. I know a day will not go by that I won't think about breast cancer. I don't dwell; it is just there. The Iowa Breast Cancer Edu-action group is a wonderful group of ladies dedicated to their mission of finding a cure and helping other women through a very difficult time with breast cancer. They have helped me! I have learned from them so much. Most important they have helped me understand breast cancer and to be strong. I have so much to learn and share with the people I come in contact with. I want so much to help someone else get through this time a little easier if possible. I really want no one else to ever have to go through what I went through. But, until there is a way to prevent breast cancer, I will work to help the women in need of comfort and strength.
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