Keep on-keeping on

by Jill M Baker

What do you think when you hear the words, “I am sorry you have cancer?” It sure wasn’t what I expected to hear. With my 24 year old daughter by my side holding my hand, the doctor told me those words. It was January 30, 2014 just three weeks before my 46th birthday. I remember thinking that I didn't hear him quite right. Then I could feel my daughter trembling and sobbing. I knew it was true. I started asking all kinds of questions, and I wanted the answers right NOW! Invasive Ductual Carcinoma Grade 3 . . . What did that mean? . . . Would I lose my breasts? . . . Would I lose my hair? . . . Will I be sick? Of course I got on the internet to look everything up. That’s the worst thing I could have done. You really do need to take things one day at a time.

I had quite a ride with everything. After my surgery, in which I chose a double mastectomy, I started chemo. Very first round I thought, “I got this . . .” Ummm . . . no I didn't. I had a horrible reaction to it. I landed in the hospital and then when I thought everything was over and done with, I had to have a bone marrow biopsy. I really was scared many times, but tried to hide my worries from my children and Todd, my boyfriend of seven years.

However, they were my rock. My daughter Michaela went to every chemo treatment. She took many pics of my journey, even when I didn't feel very beautiful. She was the first to post of how proud she was of me. My son Sheldon would come visit me after treatments and try to get me to eat something when nothing tasted very good. I not only had a lot of support from my friends and family, but I owe a lot to The Beyond Pink Team. Not only did they help me from getting a mammogram to getting me into a breast surgeon in two days, but as I tried to work as much as I could while going through treatment, I needed some extra financial help to make ends meet. I am ever so grateful...I am now  a proud member of the BPT.

Recently I have been asked to be on the educational council to be an advocate to help educate women and men on breast cancer. I am excited to start that journey to help others going through, or have gone through treatment, or just to have someone to talk to about anything. I have gained much more than I have lost to this horrible disease. As I continue to walk along this journey, and if I can help one or two people learn something that they did not know before, I feel so good. Each and every day I feel a little bit stronger. It now has been 14 months and I just say "Keep on Keeping On." 

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