My Cancer Story

After I got home, I went online and did a search for surgeons in my area, specifying female.  I found TWO.  The first one was an eye surgeon.  The second was a breast specialist...just what I was looking for.  I made my appointment.  Later that day, I called the surgeon that my ob/gyn had made the appointment with and told them to cancel my appointment.  They said I couldn't cancel...alll I could do was change it.  I told them that they could do with the appointment whatever they thought was best,  and that it was my body,  but it was my suggestion that they try to fill it with another patient, as I would not be there, and that they had better not bill for me not coming. 

I went to my appointment to see Dr Heidi Gorsuch... she was such a sweetheart, and her office staff did everything in their power to make sure I was comfortable.  She scheduled me for my biopsy, but before she would do this, I was to have a CAT scan to make sure that there were no other "lumps/tumors" in my body.  (She has since moved from our area to California.)

I had the biopsy done!  It was invasive ductal carcinoma.  In June, she did my surgery in an outpatient clinic.   I went home the same day.  I came back, a few days later, and she removed all my bandages with the exception of steri-strips and clear (looks like saran wrap) sticky backed wrap to protect the site.  After that, I was encouraged to shower and   S T R E T C H  my arm to maintain flexibility.  After my final visit in July, I was told that being as I had had a lumpectomy, I needed to see an oncologist, and a radiologist,  and again, she was great...finding me Dr. Hema Rao, and Indian lady who was an oncologist, and Dr  Fe V.S.J. Pancito M.D. who is a board certified radiologist.  Both who have made my cancer experience a WHOLE lot better then I expected.

On begining my chemotherapy, I was told that in all probability, I would loose my hair.  Withing two treatments, my hair started to fall out.  Soon it was coming out in clumps anytime I showered, when I slept, when I brushed my hair, etc.  When I was really not having a good day, I asked my husband to shave my head.  He refused!  I told him either he did it or I would.  Again he refused!  My oldest daughter, who has been my best friend throughout this, told  her dad, that if he didn't do it, she would!  Then she told him to look at my hair and to REALLY look this time.  He finally agreed!  He first used the clippers, then used one of his razors to shave my head.  I finally felt that this was the NEW starting point for me.  I even bought some cute hats!  I had never been a hat person. Even my oncologist noticed a difference in me.  She told me that I now came in with a smile on my face and that she wished all her patients would be more like me, and what was I doing?????  I told her that since I lost my hair, I was determined to NOT let the cancer win!  Every day was a new day, and that I would live it to the fullest.