Why am I sharing this now?

As we approach the month of October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the anniversary of my survival of 15 years, I thought this is the year I should share my experience with dealing with Breast Cancer. I hope to raise awareness that will encourage participation for fundraising and to remind everyone of the importance of mammograms and other screening methods. Early detection is so important and we need to remind ourselves to put ourselves first when it comes time to make and go to the appointment. That means NO EXCUSES.

Anthony's Ladies Apparel and Ibkul

As part of me acknowledging my 15 year anniversary, I am honored to be part of promoting an exclusive IBKUL shirt in partnership with “Anthony's Ladies Apparel ”. Part of the proceeds will go to: Breast Cancer Research of Florida. The shirt will reflect some of the most important words that are part of dealing with a diagnosis. We are STRONG, LOVED, COURAGEOUS, and most of all we BELIEVE. Thank you Kristin for asking me to be a part of this.

If you wish to purchase or preview the shirt, click here

Early detection is key

I believe early detection is the reason I am here to tell my story. I got mammograms every year and often in addition to the mammograms I would get an ultrasound. During a yearly check up with a mammogram followed up by an ultrasound,I had developed abnormal cells in the lower left breast. They did a lumpectomy and removed the abnormal cells leaving me with with clear margins. I thought nothing of this and I had no concern, but at the end of April, I felt a lump on the left side of my left breast and it was painful. They always tell you if it’s painful not to worry about it. It’s ’s just a cyst that’s filled with fluid. Because of what I had experienced in December, I went to Dr. Levy immediately and he gave me a look of concern and told me that he was going to do a biopsy there in the office and it was gonna hurt like hell. Dr Levy gave me a little bear to squeeze and I pinched it’s head off! A few days later I got the call to come into his office to review my results.

The dreaded words "You have breast cancer.”

In a world where breast cancer affects millions of lives, I count myself blessed to be a survivor for 15 years. This is my personal story and is very different for all who receive the dreaded words, “ Your tests have come back and it shows you have cancer”. You can’t imagine the feeling that comes over you when you are sitting across from the Dr. that has delivered those words.

My research and due diligence

Since I am a fix-it person and happen to have a friend who was more of a fixer than me, I was the new research project. My friend, Arlene Marcus was the perfect person to have in my life at that time..a Masters Degrees in Education. We kept a notebook, all hand-written with every conversation recorded with each Dr that we had a meeting with. The notebook goes all the way from the beginning to a year after surgery. I pulled the notebook out for the first time in many years to review and WOW is all I can say. Everyone receives the news in their own way and processes it differently. Keeping a notebook was my way. There is no right or wrong way to approach your care as each and every person is different and everybody reacts differently to treatment.

Arlene sent me this hand painted rock to acknowledge 15 years survival

Nearly all of us have lost a loved one to cancer

The journey gave me tremendous strength, resilience, personal growth and empathy for all who go through treatment. I lost a friend to the disease a number of years before, and I who knew that I was going to be dealing with the risk percentage for each treatment discussed. This is the first time I’ve shared my story and hope in some way anyone reading this that has faced a similar battle or knows someone who has, or is just getting the news, that person will always be there as a support for that someone. As I reflect on this event in my life and discuss it, it is most important for all to remember that EARLY detection and regular screening are most important.We need to spread awareness.

Breast cancer vocabulary

Once you get the diagnosis you have to add a lot of new words to your vocabulary: ductal invasive, lobular invasive, tumor size, HER-2 status, stage of tumor, grade of tumor and so many more. Adding to your list will be doctors and their unique specialties and how important each one will be in your care and coordination of your care and treatment plan.

Navigating the maze is overwhelming as you start to think about surgery and of course everyone one, including doctors has a different opinion.

Stories of survival and sadness

I spoke with a lot of people who have been through this process, the survivors said the most important part was how they handled their treatment and why. My aunt had a lumpectomy her cancer spread and she did not survive. A survivor told me in one of my conversations, “You don’t want to be going in every 6 months to be checked.” and she compared it to constantly looking over your shoulder.

My decision became easier

Since I had abnormal cells present and removed 6 months earlier in an area and with a diagnosis of cancer in another area, it made my decision easier. I thought about my options and decided that a double mastectomy would be my best choice. I did make the best decision because afterwards, I was told there were abnormal cells in the other breast that hadn’t been diagnosed in the MRI and other tests.

Navigating my options

The first surgery scheduled was a lumpectomy to get clear margins to help with making the decision for my impending treatment. Of course I got a second option from my lumpectomy biopsy. At the time I wanted to find the top pathologist in the country to read my radiology report and was told by several doctors that Dr. Rosen at NY Presbyterian Hospital was the best. I made that happen because the more information the better. I set up a number of doctors appointments for consolations and spoke with lots of specialists, Radiologist, Breast Surgeon, Oncologist, Pathologist, and of course Plastic Surgeons. Each doctor had a different treatment plan to offer and it was interesting to hear the information and the percentages for the risk of recurrence.

Bioidentical hormones

A conclusion was made by several of my doctors that my cancer was growing on estrogen. I was taking bioidentical hormones that were compounded for me each month and I loved the way I felt taking them. One doctor told me it was like giving a plant Miracle Grow. I came off them immediately and part of my treatment was to be on an estrogen blocker for 5 years.

Decisions made .... surgery and reconstruction

Decisions were made. Dr Levy, Breast Surgeon and Dr Russel Sassani, Plastic Surgeon, started my 4 hour surgery just after lunch and of course I asked both of them if they had taken time for lunch before starting my surgery. I wanted assurance of steady hands. They put me at ease and we had a few good laughs before they rolled me into surgery. To this day, Dr. Sassani and I are personal friends and I’ll always value him as a doctor and most importantly, a personal friend. I found an oncologist, Dr. Tan-Chiu, that was the best for me and will always remember her and the quality of care that she provided.

After the surgeries

I know I haven’t given a lot of details as they are very involved and at the time all of it was happening, I felt like I had fallen into a rabbit hole. There were 5 surgeries, hormonal therapy, and Tamoxifen for 5 years following. I am very happy that I still have the notebook with my notes..yes, down to the dosage of medication given to me after the surgery. If you know me, this last bit of information will not shock you. I felt it was a major surgery and I didn’t want to be in the hospital because of exposure to the environment and needing a nurse or someone to care for me. I prepared my bedroom and bathroom, sterilized and ready for me to recuperate in. Somehow they got me home after recovery and into my bed with my tubes and totally out of it. I had hired a private RN Nurse to take care of my needs. She did everything and recorded all the information for my doctors. I had the RN for a few days and it was one of best decisions I could have made.

Fifteen years since my diagnosis, I proudly carry the title of a breast cancer survivor, but it does not define me. I hope by sharing a bit of information about my story, it instills a sense of hope and emphasizes the importance of regular screening and early detection. I am so thankful that when I realized there was a small painful lump, I immediately contacted my doctor to be checked out.

Photo shoot with Wendy, Jackie and myself - All Breast Cancer Survivors

In conclusion, my journey continues

I am most thankful to ALL who were a part of my journey and the support that was given to me by my friends and family. So MANY visits, cards, calls, and meals brought to our house and so much more that let me know I had more than a village there in my corner.