Together we are tougher than cancer.

Using the term Survivor to describe myself is one of the hardest things I have had to overcome. The words, “I HAD cancer” are distinctly difficult to speak. My road to survivor-ship goes like this …

In March of 2015, I went for my annual Doctor visit. There was a little something going on in my left breast, so I went for a mammogram. I did this every year, because that’s what you’re supposed to do. Well, it was normal! Whew! Right? I wasn’t so convinced though and asked for an Ultrasound, but I was told I didn’t need one since nothing showed in the mammogram. As the year went on and changes took place, I asked again for a visit and was told to wait until March for my annual. I knew in my heart that I had breast cancer.

So when March came again and it was time for my annual Doctor visit, I was totally a basket case. Finally, someone will see and tell me what to do, I thought. When the Doctor looked me in his eyes, he confirmed everything I already knew. He said that I needed to go for a mammogram and an Ultrasound. He said it may be nothing, trying to calm my nerves, but I knew.

I went to Manatee Memorial Hospital for a mammogram and the kindest people walked me through the process. Guess what? The mammogram was normal, but with their expertise they sent me straight in for an Ultrasound. I could see it on the screen, I knew.

I had a bilateral mastectomy in May 2 with reconstruction. I had some very incredible Doctors at Moffitt Cancer Center. What I thought was my last surgery was in January 2018. When I went back for a follow up visit with my Doctor, he said I will see you in 6 months. What?! I had been making the trip to Tampa nearly every week for about a year, so now what was I going to do? He assured me it was a good thing. It was bittersweet. When we have cancer, we put all of our trust and faith in our Doctors, so they become our friends, our support and our connection to life. I was blessed to have been given the recalled Allergan implants that can cause a rare form of Lymphoma. The experts say to leave the implants in until there is a reason to remove them. Just my luck, I got a terrible infection and have had to have 3 additional surgeries in the past year. I am now recalled implant free and living my life to the fullest by helping others.

I am in the next chapter, adjusting to life as a breast cancer survivor, and in many ways it’s a lot like the life I had before, but in other ways, it’s very different. Life after breast cancer means returning to familiar things while also seeing everything in a new perspective. If you are new or familiar to this journey as well, I don’t want us to ever feel alone. Let’s be breast friends!

Love,

Susan