When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in May of 1998, I was 42 yrs old . married and the mom of three boys, ages 22, 12 and 5.
I found one lump during a monthly breast check, which turned out actually to be three lumps. Two were non-invasive and one invasive. I was told that ten years earlier that even a mammogram would not of picked up the latter one.
I had a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and reconstruction . The mastectomy I wanted. I felt that when the breast was gone the cancer would then be gone.
When I was told I had cancer , that one small word, controlled all my waking thoughts. Every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day the only thing that went through my mind was the word ,"cancer".
Cancer is a powerful word. If you let it, it can as it did me control your world. You stop living your life and you concentrate solely on the treatments and the "what if's". I realize it didn't have to be like that. We didn't have to give it that much power over us, and our lives.
Even harder than the chemo was telling my older sons. The oldest accepted what had to be done. The youngest didnt understand.
But I will never forget the day that I told my middle son , that I had cancer. He was 12 but he always has been my sensitive son. Over eleven years later, he has never forgotten what I promised him on that day and neither have I.
And on Saturday, October 3 2009, I fulfilled The Promise that I made to my son. That I would live to dance with him at his wedding.
Griffin, GA