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Cancer Awareness
My Gift To You: My Story
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Don't allow congress to ration women's health care!
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Get Informed - Save A Life
After my diagnosis of breast cancer in November 2008 I debated whether I should share my story. I felt that I could be an inspiration to other women going through this, or other life changing experiences, but wasn't sure I wanted to put my story out there for the world to see. Now I know that I must.
Not all breast cancers are found by mammograms and not all cancers form palpable lumps. Therefore it is necessary to do self exams AND get annual mammograms. Breast cancers can send cancer cells from the primary tumor site to other parts of the body even before the original tumor is found. Some cancers are more aggressive than others. Early detection is the key to increased survival rates.
Women everywhere must fight these new cost saving measures. A mammogram is inexpensive. Surely women are worth this small cost.
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My Story
I had a history of clean reports on my annual mammograms. Yet, in just one year, I had developed a stage 2 breast cancer. If I had followed the new, cost saving government recommendations and skipped one year on my mammogram I would have gone to stage 4 by November 2009. This is per my oncologist. Instead of getting a clean report from my oncologist last week, and designing the latest free pattern for all of you this week, I would be living a very different life.
When I had my mammogram in November 2008, I knew immediately that there was a problem. Several views were taken. I was asked to wait and then more views were taken. Finally, a radiologist came and showed me the films. She saw "something suspicious". She explained that there were microcalcifications showing on the film. While most are benign, some can be worrisome. Mine concerned her. It was strange because I had a feeling long before this test that something was amiss. Now, I knew. I was not being negative; it was a gut feeling. This was it. I tried to remain positive, but I could tell by the expression on the doctor's face that things were not looking good. She tried to reassure me by saying that 9 out of 10 biopsies come back negative, but she also explained that many times the radiologist is quite sure it will be negative and the biopsy is done because there is no room for error with breast cancer. In my case, she was not so sure. In other words, I thought, I had better prepare myself.
My mother in law had been diagnosed in November 2007 and I had been with her through surgery and follow up care, so I already knew the surgeon I would go to. Fortunately, I was able to get in right away. She looked at my films and explained that tumors can leave debris. These were the microcalcifications in question. They were suspicious due to their particular grouping, size and shape (remember that most microcalcifications are totally normal and a good radiologist can tell the difference).
She did an ultra sound right then in her office and a tumor was found on the ultra sound. She showed it to me on the screen and we decided to do the biopsy right then.
I met with her the following week and she gave me the dreaded news. This was the day before Thanksgiving. My first reaction was, "Oh no. I am not strong like Jan (my mother in law). I cannot do this." My next thought was, "Of course I can do this." From somewhere deep inside a strength I did not previously know I had came forth. I knew that I would be alright. My husband was with me when I got the news, Jan lived with us and I knew she would be great support, and I had wonderful, supportive family and friends.
My breast surgeon and I decided I would have a lumpectomy followed by radiation, rather than a mastectomy. This was a personal choice, based on medical facts of my case. Due to the holidays, my surgery was done in the beginning of January. It went well and I recovered quickly. In late January I had mammosite radiation. This is internal radiation, done twice per day for five days. Again, I did well. In late February I started chemotherapy. I had eight treatments, finishing in June 2008. I was never sick. I lost my hair, eye brows and eye lashes, but I joked with friends that for the first time my hair looked good (I had a nice wig).
I learned many things from this episode of my life. I am strong. Women are strong. We can overcome. I met women in all stages of cancer, with many different types of cancer, and I was amazed at the coping skills of every one of them. I also saw right away, however, that good support makes a lot of difference in how well one can cope. I learned meditation years ago and I used prayer and meditation frequently during my treatments. I am sure that this played a big part in my doing so well. I had this website and I worked during my treatments. I receive emails from all over the world every day and I continued to answer them. I took my beautiful totebag with me to my chemo treatments and designed new projects while getting the treatments. This kept my mind off the treatment and on fun things, such as sewing. I chanted and prayed my way throught surgery, radiation and chemo and I did well all the way through. I made new friends and I am stronger because of this experience. I no longer fear life's little things and I appreciate every moment so much more.
I celebrate life and am grateful that I was diagnosed early. I thank God that these new guidelines were not out this time last year. What if I had heard them and decided to wait a year? PLEASE, PLEASE follow the recommendations of oncologists and cancer organizations. The government objective is to save money. I understand that, but this is your life. Know the facts. Discuss this with your own doctors. Research and learn. Save a life - it could be your own.
I am walking in the American Cancer Society's survivor's walk in April. Click here to donate. Thank you.
Christina Sherrod
November 2009
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