A SURVIVOR'S STORY: MAMMOGRAPHY DOES SAVE LIVES!

Five years ago, at the age of 44, I decided it was time to schedule an appointment for a mammogram. Although I had had a baseline mammogram at the age of 35, I hadn’t taken the time to schedule follow-up mammograms. So in the fall of 2000, I scheduled a routine physical and mammogram. A few days later, I received the results. The news was a little frightening.

I had calcifications in my right breast that required further tests and a biopsy. The results of the biopsy? I had breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ. I began seven weeks of radiation treatment and tried to keep life in proper perspective and somewhat normal. This was my youngest son’s senior year of high school and I wanted him to have good memories, not memories of a sick mother. My husband lost his mother to breast cancer his senior year of high school and knew the difficult times that lay ahead, but my family was wonderful. My father and mother took me to doctor appointments, both my sons took me to radiation appointments, and my co-workers at the preschool picked up the slack from my fatigue. My husband was always there, making sure I was resting and eating enough. I finished radiation and life was beginning to feel normal. I did miss my new friends at the Cancer Treatment Center but I really felt I was cancer free. Follow-up treatment consisted of tamoxifen, doctor checkups and another mammogram four months after radiation.

While I felt cancer free, I also understood the importance of follow up care and I would not miss an appointment! I did, however, cry a few tears when thinking that I was a cancer survivor and I would be nervous about test results. I received the news that there were more suspicious areas, necessitating a trip to my surgeon. Then I heard the news that I feared most – more DCIS in my previously radiated breast. I knew I would need a mastectomy and decided to have a bilateral mastectomy to finally put my life on track to be cancer free. My family was ready to care for me and I wanted to be ready for my son’s graduation ceremony and reception. The week after my surgery I attended ceremonies honoring my son and classmates with surgical drains pinned inside my clothes. My husband emptied my drains, measured and recorded the data, and helped me get dressed. He always told me I looked great! It has been four years and counting and I hope and pray that I can be a role model for women to exercise proper breast care. Please take the time to schedule regular physicals, perform self examinations and get a mammogram. It really can save your life, sometimes twice.