11 Year Survivor

Hi,

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36. There was no one in my family diagnosed with breast cancer before. I found a lump in my breast on a Wednesday night and went the next day to see my doctor. He examined me and said that's probably only a cyst, because he could move it a little. To make sure, he called to schedule an appointment for a biopsy for Friday. The biopsy showed a very fast-growing cancer and I was scheduled for my lumpectomy on the following Monday.

The doctor removed the lump, lots of breast tissue around the lump, and also some lymph nodes. The lymph nodes didn't show any signs, I was very relieved that the cancer hadn't spread in my body. I still had to receive chemotherapy and radiation. With no family or relative living in the same country, I managed to go to hospital in the morning, get my treatment of chemotherapy, and go home in the afternoon to pick up my children, ages 7 and 5 at the time. With help from my husband, my children, and my dear friend Margaret I survived the chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

My doctor advised me to take precautions not to get pregnant. I couldn't get pregnant without treatment and I told my doctor there's no need, I do not believe in miracles. Just a month after my last radiation I was pregnant and didn't know until my 15th week. My family doctor had said that my upset stomach came from the stress I had gone through. No one ever thought of the possibility of me being pregnant. One day I told my husband that I could feel some movement inside me. He said that's impossible, you couldn't get pregnant before. It must be a mistake. My doctor was shocked and so was I.

After all sorts of tests to make sure the baby was alright, I got the ok from the doctor to go ahead with the pregnancy. I now believe in miracles and my little miracle is a healthy boy and is going to be 10 years old in January 2008. Self-examination, going straight to the doctor, and not ignoring the symptoms saved my life.

I am a breast cancer survivor of 11 years.

Christiane
Oct 10, 2007