I never thought my life would change so drastically, when, after a surgical biopsy found a malignant tumor in my right breast in September 2013. I'll say upfront that I am single and pretty much on my own in life. But my dad and mother are still going strong and I couldn't have done treatment without them. The tumor was small and at first only radiation was suggested. The crux of my story is that I was born breech with the cord asfixiating me and that accident left me with the ambiguously named condition, cerebral palsy. Medically, it is called anoxia. My Onca score for recurrence was very high. Chemo was set up. Because of the anoxia and the way it affects my muscles, I have some strong pain medications. After my first chemo infusion I had many of the rough side effects. But the worst was having my strength totally zapped, to the point I was crawling and couldn't prepare food or really run my house. My dad and mother kindly let me stay with them. One evening I could barely talk or breathe so I needed the ER. Chemotherapy was stopped. I began radiation in March of 2014 and drove myself to and from, every day, 22 miles round trip. About 4 days after my last radiation, and I was very happy, I noticed I was very fatigued. I researchied it and I found that fatigue was typical. PT was hard work, especially in the beginning but it took about 6- 7 weeks and I was even strong enough to begin going to our Gym to work. It is hard alone and it is hard with both anoxia/cerebral palsy.. I am grateful to so many who, like a 'village', helped out in different ways. It scares me some that at 52 I am still alone/single but even wth my cerebral palsy can still run my own house and work, though I work less. I take pleasure in every day, try new things and always try to seize the day. I feel like a 2 time survivor.

Anonymous
Shippensburg, PA