This is a picture of Jerry and I on the morning of my surgery.
I had my mammo and physical on Dec 10, 2014 and was told all was well. 7 weeks later discovered my 1.3 cm right breast lump on my own. I still do not have any idea what led me to it, but thrilled I caught it early. Diagnosed with invasive BC on my Birthday, Jan 23. I turned 57 that day.
Double MX and immediate reconstruction followed 3 weeks later. I have the most amazing support system in my loving husband Jerry. He was with me every step of the way! He slept in the hospital. He was off work with me for 10 days and was the only nurse I had. He cared for my wounds and drains, cooked, cleaned, shopped and dispensed my meds. He was there and understood every time I cried and needed to talk. He believed me when I told him I knew it was cancer and did not try to make it all go away, but worked with me to made sound decisions and supported every effort to come up with the best solution for me.
Now we are 8 weeks out and all is well. I have been released back to work 2 weeks and had no complication from this very big surgery. Chemo is not recommended and I have made a personal choice to not undergo radiation and Jerry as well as my family support my decision to take the Arimadex and pursue holistic clinical trials. My lifestyle has undergone some big changes in diet and exercise and my guy is right there, eating those fruits and veggies and hitting the gym and track.
He made my life feel normal, just as it had before the cancer. Jerry speaks only of our future together and of all the plans we made. He makes me "not" feel like a patient or a victim. With Jerry by my side I get to have my life and future back.
He is the gift of my life!
Staunton, VA
