After having my regular yearly mammogram, I stopped in for a few groceries. Halfway through the store, my phone rang. It was the doctor's nurse telling me to come by ASAP. Why would he want to see me?? Surely, he could not have the results of my mammo so quickly!! I hurried to his office and they took me right in. He told me that I had breast cancer!!!! I was so calm, I felt outside my body. He told me that the nurse would call me the next day to schedule an appointment with a surgeon. I left the office in a daze. In the hall, all the nurses and receptionists gave me hugs and well wishes. I was accepting this better than they were!! BUT then, I looked up and there stood my firstborn son with his ams extended, and he said, "Mom, I thought you'd need a hug about now". Only then, did I cry.
The next day after being told my appointment would be the following week, I received a call from the Breast Cancer Center telling me to come in the next day!! Within a month's time, I had an ultrasound, biopsy and a consultation with the surgeon. Surgery would have been scheduled within 3 weeks, but it was my son's birthday and I didn't want anything to mar that day for him. So I rescheduled for the following week. A friend told me that when I entered the Cancer Center, I should pause and let the Blessed Mother and Her Son enter first. I did this each time, and always felt a sense of peace come over me. Even the day of surgery, I was not afraid. I had a lumpectomy and several lymph nodes removed...all in one month. With the advice of several doctors, I opted for 28 days of radiation instead of chemo because of my kidney problems.
I am approaching my 80th birthday, caring for my terminally ill husband of 59 years, and truly grateful to GOD for all my blessings. I published my story in a book called PINK COURAGE.
Arnot, PA
