MooseMom's Story: Treatment Wasn't Fun, But Not as Bad as Expected
At age 63, I went for my annual screening mammogram and the facility was running so late I considered rescheduling. Fortunately, I did not and fully expected to receive the "Great results, see you next year!" letter in the mail.
Surprisingly, a few weeks later, the letter said "something" appeared in the mammogram and I was told to come in for an ultrasound. Pretty sure this was a money grab (hey, I'm cynical, what can I tell you), I put it off a few days, but then scheduled it. After the scan, the radiology doc said he saw "a tumor" and to come in next week for a biopsy. At that point, I started to freak out and got stressed and worried. A few days later, I had the biopsy and since I knew people at the radiology facility (I work in healthcare), I was able to get a copy of the results and saw that dreaded word: "malignancy."
Fast forward a few weeks of getting referrals, researching doctors and hospitals, getting old mammograms and my biopsy tissue, and there I was, at the hospital, meeting with a surgeon and making a plan. In my case, lumpectomy, radiation, and an aromatase inhibitor.
Surgery was uneventful and I was back at work a few days later. When I had my first appointment with the oncologist, I was told my Oncotype was indicative of a more invasive and aggressive type and I'd need chemo!
Since I'm the "planning and preparation" sort, I had already done my research so I started a series of four treatments every 3 weeks and it wasn't as bad as everyone said. Sure, I lost my hair and felt crummy, but it was never debilitating. I went to work in a wig, took walks and tried eating normally.
When I was done I started radiation and again, it was not as bad as I'd read. I was tired but never burned and when that was done I rang the bell, feeling a pang of guilt that I was one of the lucky ones.
And here I am, 4 years later on an aromatase inhibitor – again, not as bad as others have said – surviving, hoping for thriving. I try to eat well and I work out daily, and I count my blessings that my cancer was discovered so early. I am involved with various cancer support groups as a leader and, while I hate this disease and what it does, the good side is meeting many wonderful people and being able to help in some capacity.
