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By Selma Williams, Gila Community College Wellness Center Coordinator
Oct. 2012 is coming to an end. Remember to look out for the short goblins and ghouls out there. It is also the end of breast cancer awareness month, as I mentioned in my last article I had two stories I want to share with you.
I want to show the contrast of finding the lumps; the one had been sick for a while, and as you will read in the next story she was “perfectly healthy” until the discovery of the lump. Please if you have not had your mammogram yet go and mark it off your to do list. Meanwhile, here is my friend’s story.
“April 28 2012 my husband was out of town for the week. This was Wed. night, I went to bed. As I was lying there, I had itch on my right breast, I scratched it and my heart stopped.
There was a lump so large I could not believe I did not find it sooner. I had gotten a mammogram six months earlier in October 2011. Everything was fine. I made an appointment the next morning saw my doctor the next day.
She examined my breast and immediately sent me to the hospital for an ultrasound. Waiting for that result to come back was the longest week of my life.
I had 2.2cm by 1.5 cm by 2.2 cm. nodule, Biopsy suggested, BI – RADS 4, 1 being benign and 5 being malignant. You read it over and over again and can’t believe it is happening.
On May 9 I had a Lumpectomy, seven days later I found out I had Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, Triple Negative.
The grade was 3/3 meaning it is aggressive and I needed aggressive chemotherapy. On June 13, 2012, I had thirteen Lymph Nodes removed.
The Sentinel Lymph node was positive for metastatic carcinoma. My chemo was started on July 10, 2012; I would have six sessions to be followed with radiation. Right now, I have one more chemotherapy treatment to go.
I don’t really know where I am with the cancer at this point. I am alive and I am feeling okay and I Pray to God every day to help me with my affliction.
Family and friends have been so supportive to see me through this, however I can’t tell you enough, for you to keep every result of all the test and surgery’s you have. The doctors tell you, but your mind won’t let you absorb what they are saying.
Look back on the results and then go to the computer to reputable links that will really help you understand what is happening to your body. Don’t go to chats, they will scare you and you will not get the information you so badly need to know…
Please, Please, Please, self-breast exams are the fastest way to find any changes in your breast, along with regular Mammogram testing. Don’t take your body for granted. Positive attitude will see you through it.”
Thank you to my very special friends willing to tell their stories so we may learn what to look for and to gain knowledge from them in the battle for their lives.
Until next time,
Selma
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