Exactly one year ago on June 20, 2008, I had my first chemo treatment for breast cancer. At Age 61, I was ready to retire from the school district and enjoy some time off with my family and friends. We have a "Health Fair" at our district every year in April, where we can take advantage of health tests offered at a reduced rate. So, I thought that I should have my routine mammogram (which I did every year) to make sure everhthing was okay before "officially" giving notice of my retirement. A few days after the mammogram, I received a call that I needed to come back in for a "closer" look at a dense area.
After another mammogram, a sonogram, and a biopsy on my left breast, I received the dreaded call that comfirmed that I had "Invasive Ductal Carcinoma" (Breast Cancer). There were no words to describe my feelings at that moment. I was numb! Devastated! What about all of my plans?
Now one year later, after 6 rounds of chemo, 6 1/2 weeks of radiation, and a year of herceptin treatments (because my tumor was HER2+, not Estrogen+), I feel great! I can now make those plans, or any other plans that I want!
I thank God everyday for that mammogram. It literally saved my life.
Carrollton, TX