I’m a reporter. I seek information and I write things down. So it should come as no surprise that I had purchased a spiral notebook to document what I needed to know after I had discovered a lump in my breast two years ago this month. It was on January 16th that the call came. It was a Friday afternoon after a long week. The two headlines that jump off the page of my notebook when I look back at notes from that call: “small area of invasive cancer” and “cure rate 90%”. The following weeks were a blur of blessings really: more tests, surgery, radiation and so much support.I look back with as much gratitude as I had in the days of the experience. I want to share my story again and again. It was a positive outcome because I listened to my body. I know we all (men, you’re included too) blow off regular check ups and the recommended screenings that we need. I also know that even when something in our bodies is off, we tells ourselves, “I’m just too busy. I’ll get to it next week.”
PLEASE, DON’T WAIT.
Take care of yourself now, today. I know not every woman with breast cancer has my outcome and I feel for them. But I know one of the reasons why I’m looking back on this two year anniversary with gratitude is because I didn’t wait. And I tell my story hoping you won’t wait either.
I didn’t wait either Tracy. Since I was treated in 1988 (while I was pregnant) with radiation for Hodgkins Lymphoma I was not a candidate for radiation when my recent early breast cancer was discovered via a breast MRI. My Penn team suggested a bilateral masectomy. I am currently recovering from the surgery which included immediate TRAM flap reconstruction.
We may have had the same surgeon who told me after my surgery ” Maureen, you HAD breast cancer – you no longer HAVE breast cancer” 👏🏻👏🏻. We are so blessed to have such dedicated healthcare professionals in Philadelphia! 💗