sky's Cancer Blog

March 23, 2007

How It All Started--Part I

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Hi Everybody,

This is, of course, my first entry so I thought I’d give a brief background on my battle with this insidious disease.

I was initially diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer in 2001. It’s funny how you can clearly recall even the smallest details of events that occurred five years ago but can’t recall what you did last week. Anyway, in 2000, I spent some time in California because was my father was in the hospital. Even then, I knew there was a lump in my right breast.

I was very good at avoidance at the time. My first thought would be…it’ll go away, or it’s nothing. I’ve been avoiding doctors for most of my adult life. If it wasn’t broken, bleeding or if I wasn’t dying, then there was no need for a doctor. LOL

While I was in California, my cousin got on my case about seeing the doctor. She never let up. After I got back home, she’d constantly badger me about going. So, several months later, in July 2001, I went to see a doctor.

Well, actually, not really. I saw the nurse instead. She didn’t think the lump was anything serious because I was so young, but she ordered a mammogram for me just to be sure. To this day, I constantly keep that nurse in my prayers.

The mammogram was scheduled on a Tuesday morning, July 17th. Brimming with confidence that nothing was wrong, I stepped into the hospital’s imaging center and made my way to the counter to sign in.

Half an hour later, I was still standing before the mammogram machine. The tech must’ve taken about thirty pictures. She’d take several of them, take them to the doctor, come back in and take some more. I knew them, with a feeling of dread, that something was definitely wrong.

After a while, the nurse escorted me to see the doctor. He wanted a biopsy done right away if I had time for it. Sure, I replied. I had time for it. After the biopsy was done, he came in to talk to me. The results won’t come back for a couple of days but in his professional opinion, he was certain that I had cancer.

Several days later, I was still in shock. The news hadn’t sunk in yet. The surgeon wanted me scheduled for surgery right away. I kept thinking that this was a problem that I could face. The surgery was necessary so if I needed to lose my breast in order to live, then of course, that’s the route I would take. As you can see, I was very logical about the whole thing.

Was I scared? No. I didn’t let myself think of fear or any other kind of emotion. As far as I was concerned, the lump had to go. After it was gone, I could go on with my life. LOL Famous last words.

I had my surgery on August 24, 2001. It went well and I was back home a couple of days later.

No, it still hadn’t hit me yet that I had cancer.

Posted on March 23, 2007 at 7:58:59 PM by Grace ( How It All Started--Part I, 1 comment)

Welcome Sky! I am glad you found this group. I am just reading your story now. Let me know if you need anything. Jill

Posted on March 24, 2007 at 7:36:29 AM by jill