My Surprise

On August 8, 2009, I found a lump in my right breast. I already had a mamogram schedule in two weeks. When I went I told the ladies about the lumb and they did both a mammogram & ultrasound. The radiologist that read them said everything was fine, just one breast on dense that the other. I was not satisfied so I call my OB-Gyn to see what I should do. They sent me to a surgeon, who felt the lump and did a needle biposy that came back inconclusive as to what it was. On Oct 9th I had a lumpectomy, what proved it was cancer. After the pathologist looked at it, I was then told I had invasive ductual carcernoma Stage 3. On November 5th I had my masectomy. From When I found this in August to then the tumor had grown to be 4.9cm and had spread to 5 of the 13 lymphnodes that were removed. On November 20th I started my chemo which was 6 treatments of TAC. I finished that on March 5th and started radiation the day after Mothers day. Thru all the treatments I did fairly well until the last Chemo. I am not sure why, but it really got me down. I spent 3 days in the hosptial with pain and fever. All I can say is I Thanks the Good Lord that I am now healed and getting better everyday.

Through all this my older Brother was my mentor. In October 2007, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma and knew what I was going thru. He is also doing great and about to finish up his 2 year maintanence plan.
He had the best attitude of anyone I had ever seen and it helped to give me a positive attitude.

Darlene
Mobile, AL