Kathleen's Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Age at diagnosis: 48
Type of breast cancer: Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
Lymph node status: clear, no nodes involved
Tumor Description: 0.81 cm, HER2 positive
Treatments: Lumpectomy, Chemotherapy, Radiation, Herceptin, Tamoxifen
Time in Remission: One year
That Little Piece of Paper
I could do anything. That's what I felt like. I was raising three kids, had a workaholic husband, two jobs and was taking care of various animals that the kids would bring home. I never stopped moving, never stopped worrying about the kids, the jobs, the house, and the bills. Well, one day I did stop. I froze. I got a little piece of paper in the mail that said that I had to come back for further mammogram testing. I was right down the street from my doctor's office, and I called him immediately. Breast cancer? I wasn't going to the doctor for breast cancer -- my breast didn't hurt! My leg hurt. I was in pain for three weeks because my leg hurt. Now I felt confused and shocked. How quickly I forgot about my leg.
Emergency Scrapbooking
In two weeks time, I had a surgeon, a radiologist, and a medical oncologist -- as well as breast cancer. I read everything on the web that I could find about it. Sometimes that is not a good thing, but I prepared myself for the worst. I called many cancer centers for books, went to the library, and sat in Barnes and Noble sipping coffee and wondering if I would live to see my grandchildren. I ran to the craft store and copied every family picture I could find. I made scrapbooks for my kids -- just in case.
Rollercoaster and Recovery
Well, I did it! After two lumpectomies, four months of chemo (oh my God, that was the worst!), 32 radiation treatments and a year of Herceptin, I thought I could do anything again. I went back to work full-time. Oh, did I think life was perfect! I guess it never was, but I always am a person who loves to look at the moon, and loves everything God has put on this earth.
Becoming Superwoman
[The following year] was the hardest year of my life, and I hit a bump in the road. I had another biopsy for another type of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer (IBS). This is called the "silent killer" because you may not know you have it, until it is too late. I noticed a rash, just a rash that remained for a few days on my breast. Luckily, I have a great husband and great oncologist who both said not to fool around with anything. So, I got right into my surgeon's office. I laid down on the exam table, not really knowing what he was doing until I saw the big needle. And then I saw the scalpel. Yes, I knew then I would be awake and cut like a chicken. I saw the piece of flesh [get placed] into the container to go off for a pathology examination. I [put] on my clothes, even though I was shaking like crazy, and made my appointment for my stitches to be taken out. "Did I just have surgery and drive home 10 minutes later? I must be Superwoman," I thought. I felt very proud of myself. Yes, I am a Survivor and a Superwoman.
Reflections on Kathleen's Story
Kathleen is a good example of keeping a good attitude, holding on to hope, and acting quickly to take care of herself. She begins by letting you know that she takes good care of her family -- kids, pets, and husband. When she's diagnosed, she makes sure that her kids will have good memories in place, and then she takes the bit between her teeth and rides through the treatments. With support from her husband and oncologist, she goes into action when she suspects a case of IBC, and endures the sight of her own biopsy (something I could never do). Kathleen is a strong woman who became even stronger through her experience with breast cancer.
Are You a Survivor? Then You've Got a Story to Tell - send in your story, to be considered for publication on this site.
