Moving forward

My name is Sally, I am a 32 year old who was diagnosed with breast cancer December of 2006.  My story began in 2005 when I told my physician I was having breast pain, she said not to worry, no big deal stop drinking soda and eating chocolate.  I was really concerned since I have a family history of cancer.  So who was I to question her.  Well a year later, still having problems and feeling lumps under my arms, I didn't want to go back to her since she wouldn't help me before, so I went to see someone else.  Fortunately for me I'm in the medical profession, so I know lots of great people.  Needless to say, I had my first mammogram in November of 2006, then those results came back that I needed additional follow-up, another mammogram and breast ultrasound of my left breast.  Then came the biopsy, so in December it was confirmed.  I had stage 1 breast cancer, 90 percent estrogen positive and lymphnode negative.  I went to see my breast surgeon and they gave me my choices and said you have 48 hours to decide on what to do.  I was stunned and sat there and cried and then went to see my oncologist, he said he recommed a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction since my cancer was intraductal carcinoma.  He said once it's in one breast it spreads to other one.  Well, fours hour later I called my surgeon and scheduled my surgery.  In December, I had both breasts removed with reconstruction.  Thought everything was going good. I had great physicians but my impants popped out of the incision lines three weeks later.   So back into surgery to have the left one removed and then two later the right one removed.  Before I could go back into surgery my veins collapsed but I got throughout.  So, february of 2007, I started chemo four treatments.  I was really sick.  My hair fell out after the first treatment.  I just remember looking at my husband and said my hair is falling out, so he shaved it and said, I think you look better with no hair.  He's the most amazing person.  When I left the hospital they said my insurance wouldn't provide home health care because I live in a different county, my oncologist said don't worry we'll teach your husband everything.  He did all my dressing changes, wound care, picc line flushing and bandages changes every day.  I am so lucky.  My daughter wasn't scared she said no worries mom, once your breast are gone you'll be cancer free.  So I went back to work during treatment and worked when I could and rested when I was ill.  My incisions on the right side just closed one month ago.  This is now September.  No one could figure out what happened with my sugery, but eventually we found the plastic surgeon overfilled my expanders.  Today, I went to a new plastic surgeon and am getting ready for surgery again with implants Oct. 17.  Can't wait to have breasts again, I know there not everything, but sometimes it's still very difficult, it feels like a part of you is missing.  I hope my story helps you.  Stay strong and continue to fight no matter what comes you way.  More information to come as surgery approaches.