On February 14, 2014, I welcomed my fiancé and future stepson on their journey from England to their new home with me. The visa process took 1.5 years so we were so happy to be able to get on with our lives together as a family. I took the following week off from work so we could get settled in properly.
My six month mammogram and ultra sound was scheduled for that week also, so I would not have to take any additional time off from work. I was on a six month schedule because I had many complex cysts and my surgeon and I decided to watch in case anything turned cancerous. After several all clear screenings and biopsies, my luck had run out. I was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer.
My wedding was scheduled for April 5 and my surgeon wanted to start treatment immediately. I was shocked as this was supposed to be the happiest time. I had a double mastectomy on March 13 and the thought of our wedding, which I refused to postpone, pulled me through. Nothing would stop us . My wedding dress had to be altered and thanks to the wonderful seamstress, I felt like a princess though I no longer had my breasts.
The Monday after our wedding, I had my cath put in and in a few weeks time I started 4 rounds of A/C followed by 12 rounds of taxol. I lost my hair but did not lose my fight. I continued to work 20 hours a week. I refused to let cancer control my life. September 2 marked the end of chemo and at the end of September began 35 radiation treatments. I am blessed to be surrounded by my family, friends and co-workers who kept me strong. I feel at the end of the treatment journey, I am stronger, more full of life than I have ever experienced. I know how important love of life is in defeating this disease and no matter how much a cancer diagnosis gets you down, it is beatable. Life is good.
Exeter, PA
