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Pink Edition
In Their Own Words
Readers share personal breast cancer stories and advice
By Meredith Moss,
Staff Writer
Updated 9:08 PM Friday, October 16, 2009
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This article is part of our month-long focus on breast cancer. To learn more or find ways to help, go to our Pink Edition Page.
We continue to be overwhelmed by the response we've been receiving to our series of October breast cancer stories. In an effort to include even more of them, we've invited readers and experts throughout the Miami Valley to share thoughts, advice and concerns.
Here's a sampling. We'll share more through the rest of the month.
Lauren McClure, Kettering
Usually October passes with me faintly noticing the abundance of pink around me. Breast cancer just meant pink ribbons on my box of wheat thins or the commercials of bald women finishing a race for the cure on television. This October is completely different. In August I noticed a rather large lump on my left breast directly under my nipple. I was hesitant to see my doctor because I do not have health insurance and I am a 22-year-old with a car payment.
When I told my parents, they sent me to our family physician. He said I had the right to be nervous, but he could almost 90 percent say it wasn't breast cancer. I have only one person in my family who has ever been diagnosed and that is my mother's cousin. (The physician) said he just doesn't see 22-year-olds walk in with breast cancer. A few weeks later I had surgery at Miami Valley Hospital to have the mass removed. The surgeons there also said I had nothing to worry about. About four hours later, after I had spent time in the recovery room, my surgeons came in. They said they found cancer.
You cannot believe the shock it sent through my body. A month later it still does not seem real. I was diagnosed Sept. 4 and on Sept. 29 had a bilateral mastectomy. Fortunately, the plastic surgeons were able to do immediate implants but I do have a port in my chest for chemo treatments. All my lymph nodes came back negative and no other masses were found.
It has been about a week and a half since my surgery. I am slow moving, but moving. The first few days were emotionally hard because I couldn't get out of bed; my mother had to help me wash myself.
Most 22-year-olds are just getting familiar with their bodies and now I've lost something I had once cherished as being a woman. I still have not looked at my scars. I think it will set the reality in.
I have my days where I cry but usually it's very little. For the most part I've found I have made humor out of my disease. It's easier on me and I know it is easier on the people who love me, who often don't know what to say or do.
I guess I felt compelled to write because I am still swallowing the shock of this. I am thinking of the long-term effects of chemo: Will I be able to have children? How will I ever pay for this?
I know I am not the only young person to be diagnosed. Even 65 is too young, in my mind. But I do feel alone in this because everyone wants to share their mom's, aunt's, cousin's, sister's, survival story with me.
Their story isn't mine. My story isn't theirs. It's hard to think that I've had this painful surgery and my own mother has never had to endure anything like it. Instead she has to sit and watch her youngest daughter cry because she is frustrated that she cannot get out of bed.
No, it isn't fair, but I am embracing this because life wouldn't have handed it to me unless I could take it. Unless I can be positive and uplifting about it.
I know you will read many stories, all of which are touching and are tributes to amazing women. I never thought I would include my face among those brave women, but here I am!!
A group of my friends, family and co-workers are joining me for the Strides Walk; we'll be wearing yellow shirts that say: "Lauren's Lovely Lady Lumps."
Rita Holmes, Hamilton
I wouldn't take my cancer experience back for the world. It was one of the most devastating experiences in my life, but it was also one of the most eye-opening.
I was diagnosed in March 2008, and had surgery, chemo and radiation. My advice to women who have just been diagnosed is to stay calm and stay positive. Don't think of the cancer as a death sentence; there's so much help now out there. I also found a whole world of people out there who care for you — whether they know you or not. I'm talking about people in general, not just medical people. I blogged my whole experience and had more people write to me just to let me know what I was going through had helped them. The blogging allowed me to express myself, it was easier than just talking person-to-person.
Anyone is welcome to read my blog: www.ritaholmes.blogspot.com You'll need to read the archives starting in February 2008.
Tammy Ulery, Springfield
I was first diagnosed in May 2009 and had surgery in June. I had insurance, but was worried about how much out-of-pocket I would be paying because I'm a single mom, age 44.
I called the Regional Cancer Center in Springfield and asked about financial assistance. They directed me to someone at the American Cancer Society who was able to assist me with resources. I ended up not having to pay anything. My advice is don't ever put off your treatment due to your financial status or worries; there's always help. One example? I required a test that cost $4,000 and ended up paying only $24. The American Cancer Society is there to assist you in finding financial aid.
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I would love to hear your stories so please visit http://beyondbreastcancer.wordpress... and if something resonates with you, please let us know.
11:44 AM, 10/23/2009
Please do your annual exams & month self-exams!! They are extremely important!!
10:25 PM, 10/22/2009
10:24 PM, 10/22/2009