How unlikely that I would develop breast cancer!  After all, it doesn’t run in my family.  I have enjoyed excellent health.  At age 60, I was not even on one medication.  I have kept my weight down, remain active, never smoked, do not drink alcohol (don’t even drink soft drinks–I drink spring water), eat a diet high in organic foods, very low cholesterol, low sodium and (more recently) low sugar.  And I avoid products with harsh chemicals when possible.

And, if frame of mind is a factor in physical health, that shouldn’t be an issue for me.  I have a meaningful faith and a good outlook on life.

But here I was sitting at my computer typing away on a Friday night, July 11, 2014, when I felt an itch about five inches below my right collar bone, and when I scratched, I felt a hard lump–an inch or so in diameter.  I thought that perhaps it could be a cyst, but I was definitely concerned about the way it felt and its size.

My annual mammogram was already scheduled for August. I never miss an annual mammogram. However, I had never incorporated the monthly breast self-check into my schedule–I mistakenly figured that if there was ever a lump I would notice it when I showered. But with this discovery, I realized I should not wait till August to be checked.  Monday I went in for a mammogram. When finished, the technician told me to have a seat in the waiting area because the doctor would want to talk with me. He let me know there was an area of concern and within minutes I was in another room for an ultrasound. Once completed, he informed me that I have a “solid mass” that is not a cyst, and that he would need to perform a biopsy.

Because I regularly took a fish oil supplement, and fish oil is a blood thinner, I had to wait a week to have the mass biopsied.  As we talked following the biopsy, I asked the doctor his impression of the mass based on what he saw on the ultrasound.  He informed me that the shape of the mass made it highly suspicious for invasive breast cancer.

Two days later, on July 23, I received a phone call and was told that I could be given the results over the phone or in person.  I knew then that it would not be good news. I opted to get the results over the phone, and was informed that I did, in fact, have invasive breast cancer–“infiltrating ductal carcinoma” to be exact.  And, at a meeting with the physician’s assistant the following day, my daughter and I learned that there is also another component to the cancer I had.  It was “triple negative.”  Only about 10-20% of all breast cancers are triple negative.  This has been called the fastest growing, hardest to treat and most likely to recur type of breast cancer.  Not good news!

I began chemotherapy at Ochsner in New Orleans on August 15 and my final chemo was December 19.  My lumpectomy was done at M D Anderson in Houston on January 20.  The pathology report that followed was great … there were no signs of cancer cells in my lymph nodes, the margins of the tissue removed were clear of cancer cells, and I had as close to a “pathologic complete response” as possible (which is the perfect scenario)–99% of the tumor cells were dead cells.  This was very encouraging news!  I was scheduled to have my radiation at MDA too, but a last minute insurance glitch caused me to have to switch to a local provider.  So, on February 25 I began radiation at East Jefferson General Hospital.  My final treatment was April 14.  I am now in remission.

My oncologist recommended that I now focus on the things I have control over–my diet and exercise (which studies indicate can increase the likelihood of not having a recurrence).

My daughter, Amy, other family members and many friends have given me so much love and support that I have to say that as bad as this situation was, I thank the Lord for the many blessings I experienced throughout this journey, and I know that He will continue to bring good from this experience.

There is another positive I am hoping results from this cancer–for good to come to others from what I have experienced.  I would be honored if you would share My Three Requests For Breast Cancer Awareness Month with people you know.  It very well could save a life!  Also consider sharing 10 Breast Cancer Facts.

Thank you, and God bless!