"It's malignant." Those 2 words changed my life forever. The year 2010 definitely brought new challenges. Following mammos, ultrasounds, MRI's and core needle biopsies, the final diagnosis came on Nov 30th of 2009 - invasive ductal carcinoma. Breast cancer. I can't really say "why me?"; it's more like, haven't I been through enough? Ten major surgeries, almost dying twice, victim of a crime, divorce, loss of both parents within 6 months of each other, and now this. And yet...the gifts I have been given throughout have been so wonderful, so appreciated, so cherished. If this is the price to pay, then so be it.
Surgery on January 7th came in the form of a partial mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and sentinel lymph node biopsy. The word was good - great, clean margins and negative nodes. The pre-op wire needle localization and radioactive isotope injections around my nipple however, were nothing less than barbaric! And, my pee turned a bright blue color, just like the waters of the Carribean I love so much.
Once I recovered from surgery, chemo came onboard with a vengeance. Let's just say I experienced every side effect known to man and doctor, except for mouth sores. I actually didn't mind being bald; it was interesting to see what kind of head I had. I was told I had a nice looking bald head. Not the compliment most women want to hear, but at that point, it was good to hear!
Chemo ended after almost 4 months and I moved on to radiation, the silent but eventually painful half-sister. The burning gave way to peeling which gave way to very raw, very sore new skin underneath. But I'm healing now.
This journey is just about over. I'm grateful for my doctors...and more than ever... for life
Thornwood, NY
