A SURVIVOR'S STORY

by Mary Seitz

Growing up the youngest of six and having red hair (actually strawberry blonde) I was picked on A LOT. I learned to be tough and how to fight like a girl. Little did I know then that God had a plan for me. At age 43 I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma found on a routine screening mammogram. I was surprised. Working in a Mammography department, I thought I was immune to this. What a rush of emotion. What should I do? Have a lumpectomy? Mastectomy? What is going to be the right decision for me?

Initially, I considered having a lumpectomy. After having a breast MRI, I elected to have a bilateral mastectomy. I don’t feel that I have been maimed, but saved. By God’s good grace, I was treated by a wonderful staff including the mammographer, ultrasonographer, surgeons and doctors who were with me along the way. My surgeries and chemotherapy treatments have gone very well. I feel very confident in my treatment.

My family has been my strength, my co-workers my rock. With all their support there is nothing I cannot handle. They have been there for me from the beginning. bringing meals to the house after my surgery, sending cards and notes, and sitting with me during my chemo treatments. I have kept a positive attitude throughout. Not only do I feel it has helped me, but others that I encounter. I had fun wearing different hats during chemo. I think it gave the staff something to look forward to. They wondered what I would show up in next. My last hat was my “celebration/party” hat. Candy, stickers and party horns were hot glued to a point felt hat. It was left at the Cancer Treatment Center for anyone after me who wanted to celebrate their last treatment. The hats created smiles, giggles and laughs. What better medicine is there?

There were times that I felt down. I did feel sorry for myself, but when that happened my husband would look at me with more love and compassion than anyone could imagine, or my son would bound into the room and give me bear hug with an “I love you, Mom” out of the blue. My stepchildren and grandkids would show up “just to visit” at the perfect time. Do you know how fast grandkids can lift one’s spirits?!? Wow.

I hope in the future my experience can help someone else who is going through this. It helped me to have people to talk to who had walked down this path before. While it’s true that what works for one person may not work for another, it’s also true that a cumulative amount of information, a shoulder to lean on, and an ear to listen can go a long way. May God bless all of you who have walked this path before me and to all of those who will walk it after. For anyone who may need an ear, my number is 319-231-0535.

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