Deborah's Story: COVID Delayed My Diagnosis, But I Triumphed
Deborah H Killeffer is a Breastcancer.org Community member in Pembroke, Massachusetts, USA.
My initiation to a new life as a cancer patient began on Mother’s Day, 2022. On that day, we were enjoying a family get together. It was a surprise to have the pathologist call me and inform me that my biopsy taken earlier was positive for triple negative breast cancer. He told me it was invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3, stage II. It took my breathe away and our family readjusted our Mother’s Day celebrations!
I had unable to get my mammogram on time, due to COVID restrictions and my job had been eliminated due to budget cuts that were caused by the COVID pandemic. I also had been dealing with intense sciatic pain, hoping it would subside on its own. However, it did not subside, but being dealt a diagnosis such as this quite literally knocked me into a sitting position rather quickly!
The pathologist quickly referred to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. During my first appointment with the head of oncology, I was told that I needed to be free of sciatic pain before starting chemotherapy. A very wise oncologist made this suggestion, as he knew how brutal the treatment plan was going to be. I underwent a spinal fusion at Massachusetts General Hospital in June. My neurosurgeon did an excellent job and I was blessed with a rapid and successful recovery.
Four weeks later after the spinal surgery, I began chemotherapy. I had KEYNOTE-522 chemotherapy for weekly treatments for six full months. I frequently felt like giving up, however, I saw the reason for continuing and kept on. Halfway through the treatment, an ultrasound revealed that one tumor had completely dissolved and the largest one had reduced in size by half. This encouraging news gave me the determination to keep going. It was extremely difficult. I think kidney stones and giving birth was a picnic compared to chemotherapy! I am still grateful for the oncologist who insisted how being free of sciatic pain was necessary before beginning a regimen of chemotherapy!
During chemotherapy, my doctors insisted that I minimize my contact with people, including family and friends. This isolation was an ordeal, especially after COVID shutdowns and I missed contact with our 8 grandchildren and our 3 adult children. We did have a few Zoom meetings, but it wasn’t the same as a warm hug.
In addition, multiple side effects of the chemotherapy proved to be a severe trial. Somewhere in the process, I developed pulmonary embolisms and I was placed quickly into intensive care at South Shore Hospital for a week. This setback was unexpected to the say the least.
On lovely Valentine’s Day, 2023, Dr. Barbie performed successful surgery on my breast. The pathology report included a second type of cancer within my original tumor which was an unexpected development — progesterone and estrogen positive. This new development will require oral medication for five years to help reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence.
One month after surgery, I began a four week, daily regimen of radiation which went smoothly.
Looking back on this past year, I am not the person I was 12 months ago. These events have made me think more objectively about the fragility of life, the dependence we have on good medical care, and how I need to live every day fully. My heart has grown more concerned with the pains of the world and my faith has deeper roots. Physically, I have felt drained much of the time, however, with the incredible support from my husband, family and a new mentor friend who was also a survivor of cancer has been a blessing.
I am ever grateful for the people who care about cancer patients and for their gracious help in many ways to see us through. This journey of unexpected twists and turns has been trying, but from deep within and from the love and concern from others, you’re able to stand firm and not waiver under the pressure. I believe that daily awareness of gratitude for something large or small will take away the bitterness of sadness. I often thought of what a blessing we have on this journey which includes people who have agreed to participate in clinical trials, or nurses and doctors who truly want us to get well. For me, the component of humor has been the plus to my experiences and I encourage all women to see how laughter helps on their journey as well.
