Saturday December 19, 1998. While just looking in the mirror I noticed a lump in my left breast. The first response of almost everyone was that it could not be cancer, after all, I was only 32!!! I praise God that I decided to have a surgical biopsy anyhow. What they found was two tumors approximately 1cm each. They graded the cancer as a '3' which is the most agressive type cancer. Less than a week later I had a lumpectomy and axillary dissection to check for the spread of cancer. Praise the Lord, my margins were clean and there was no cancer in the 15 lymph nodes removed!!!!
My Oncologist and the Tumor Board at the University of Chicago reccomended an agressive treatment of 4 cycles of chemotheraphy (adriamacin and cytoxin) along with radiation therapy.
During this time I moved back in with my parents, who's love support and prayers carried me through the tough days. I was able to work part time as a Customer Support (Help Desk) Rep for Whirlpool Corporation, threw a shower for and served as an usherette for my best friend, Jenny's wedding, and celebrated my 33rd birthday.
I may have had cancer, but cancer never had me!!!!!
As I write this, (June, 1999) I am beginning my final phase of radiation, a 'boost' to just the area where the tumor was. I am back at work full time, living in 'my' house and watching my hair grow back. Life is good, I serve a good God!!!!!
For a more detailed account of my treatments, please see my timeline.
Update 26 June 1999
I have now finished my radiation...I am a breast cancer survivor by the grace of Jesus Christ!!!! Today I will walk in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. I will join with hundreds of other survivors in a victory lap to kick it all off. Look for pictures from this event here soon!
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