I had a scare January 2006 but the biopsy was negative. In July 2006 I had a follow-up mammogram and biopsy; this time it was positive for Stage I Lobular Carcinoma In-Situ. I found out on the road to Texas for my daughter's college orientation and a wedding.
I was lucky to have an experienced doctor, Dr. Philip Israel, Breast Center in Marietta, GA. This type of breast cancer is hard to detect and doesn't always create a lump. He continued testing until he determined what he was seeing in the mammogram and ultrasound.
I had a lumpectomy and Sentinel Node Biopsy on 7-24-06, the day after returning from Texas. I began MammoSite radiation treatments on 8-14-06, first day back to school for my 5th grader. I had my last treatment on 8-18-06, had the catheter removed and left the following morning to drive to Austin, TX to move my daughter into her college dorm. With a 22 year old daughter who had just graduated from UT in May, a 19 year old daughter beginning at UT in August and my 9 yr old daughter, I was thrilled that I could do the 5 day Mammosite radiation treatment. It saved my energy for the chemotherapy later.
I hope my 3 daughters are never faced with breast cancer but if they are I know that the treatments will continue to improve and one day, hopefully a cure will be found.
Life is not a dress rehearsal so you need to make the most of each and every day that you have. Each day is a present, a gift from God! I was able to be here for my daughter's wedding in November 2008 in Austin, TX and pray to be here for my other daughters when they get married!
Marietta, GA
