How did you find out you had breast cancer?

 I found a bb sized lump in my breast during my twenties but, I had a hard time getting a mammogram. Every doctor that I saw dismissed it. They told me the lump was probably just a cyst. They instructed me to stop drinking caffeine. Doctors told me I was too young for breast cancer and too young to get a mammogram. As I got older, the lump grew. When I became pregnant with my second daughter, I brought it to the attention of my current OB/GYN. He too felt it was nothing and said it would go away after delivery. It did not. Two years later I became pregnant with my third daughter and it grew even bigger. Just before her second birthday, I scheduled an appointment with my OB/GYN and asked him to take another look at the lump in my breast. At this time, the lump had grown to the size of my thumb. He assured me it was probably nothing, but scheduled a mammogram anyway just to be sure. On the day of my mammogram, the doctors also performed an ultrasound of my breasts and a biopsy. Two days later on April fool’s day, at the age of 31, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Who did you tell about you diagnosis first and how did you tell them?

I told my mother first.  My doctor called me on the phone and gave me the results of my mammogram/ultrasound/biopsy. After I heard the words “You have breast cancer” I heard nothing else. My mother called the doctor back to get the details because I was in a complete state of shock. She was supportive and strong, just what I needed at that moment.

How did you cope with the diagnosis?

Prayer and the support of my friends and family were my instruments of coping. I tried not to worry too much about the future. Instead I tried to get through each day. One day at a time became my motto.

How did you deal with the affects of chemotherapy in your day to day life?

I rested a lot. The first few days after treatments I would spend in bed. I tried to use my energy wisely. The days I was most energetic, I did the things that were most important to me. I would spend time with my girls, play with them, read to them or drive them to school. I ate what I could. I did the things that gave me the most comfort. My advice to anyone going through chemotherapy is to try ANYTHING that might help.

 

How does the threat of recurrence affect your life?

I have completely put the thought of recurrence out of mind. I cannot let it control me. I have faith that my cancer will NOT come back.

How did family and friends show you support and encouragement?

My friends and family were wonderful. People sent cards, flowers and letters. Two of my friends made me beautiful hats to wear after my hair fell out. Several nights a week, friends cooked dinner for me. One friend brought three precooked meals and a dessert for my family every week during the last months of my chemotherapy. Friends and family took turns going to treatments/appointments with me and helping with my children. My friends and family constantly prayed for me and asked others to pray for me. Several prayer groups were created in my honor.

One of my closest friends had the idea to draw a letter “K” on her hand on the days I had chemotherapy to remind her to pray for me throughout the day. She encouraged others to do it as well. She thought the K on everyone’s hand would cause others to enquire and recruit more people to pray. It did, more and more were praying for me every week. She then encouraged everyone to send pictures to me of them displaying the letter K on their hand. I can’t tell you how uplifting it was to see all the pictures of my supporters coming over my phone on the days of treatment. It made me feel powerful, loved, and super optimistic. 

The love and support from friends, family and even complete strangers has been amazing and almost overwhelming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How has the experience changed you?

When I was diagnosed, my first thoughts were always with my daughters, how much I loved all three of them and how much they needed me around. I could not bear the thought of my children growing up without me. I also thought of all the wonderful people in my life, friends, and family. I was so shaken by the thought that I might die without becoming the person I could have been or should have been. The more I thought about it the MORE determined I became to beat my cancer. As I was worrying about dying of cancer, I started to become more excited about the future and getting through it! To start again! People who have never gone through a life threatening illness find it hard to believe that it can be a positive experience. It has been for me. It has changed the way I look at life. I don’t take things for granted anymore. I appreciate the small things. This terrible disease could be the door that opens to a wonderful future. I can’t wait for my cancer treatment to be over so I can concentrate on the things that are the most important to me and my family. Cancer has pressed me to reexamine my hectic life. This experience has been enough of a shock to put me on a new path. I will appreciate every ounce of life and do what makes ME happy.

What advice would you give someone battling cancer right now?

Worry makes things worse. Worrying is one of the most destructive things you can do to yourself. Try to keep things in perspective, and if all else fails, try distraction.  Expectations influence outcome. It’s important to be positive.

Surround yourself with people who make you feel good! Keep your friends close. Don’t shut out the people who care about you. Open yourself up to the caring  and support of close friends and family. Friendship is a STRONG medicine. I can’t tell you where I would be today without the love and support of my friends and family.

Speak Up! Find a doctor you can trust and talk to. Very Important! Don’t be scared to tell them things that are on your mind. If you want things to change, you have to learn to speak up for yourself. That’s been a huge lesson for me.

Learn to accept help. Learn to say “Yes!” This was the hardest of all for me. People genuinely want to help. Let them.

Did you do something to pamper yourself during treatment? What and why?

After a double mastectomy and hair loss from chemotherapy I wanted to do something that still made me feel feminine. Every two weeks no matter what, I got a manicure and pedicure.

Tell us a little about you life today.

I am focusing on the last part of my breast cancer treatment. My final stage of reconstruction surgery is planned for early December. I will have two more surgeries the beginning of next year to remove my ovaries and more lymph nodes. I am thrilled about the future. My battle is almost over!

Right now, I am very excited about the Race for the Cure. Two teams will be walking in my honor this year. We have had a blast getting the teams together, designing team shirts and fundraising. I am looking forward to reuniting with old friends and walking for the cure. It’s going to be awesome!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Enjoying life with my family… Happy, Healthy and Cancer Free!  Hopefully volunteering and continuing the fight against breast cancer. I would love to have the opportunity to be a positive influence in the life of other women battling breast cancer.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Optimistic, Strong, and Blessed!!!