Brenda's Story

I was 34 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I found the lump myself and decided to have it removed first for the biopsy. I felt that the tumor did not belong there and I wanted it out of my body.

My surgeon told me that I would have to have a mastectomy and radiation. I felt I was too young for a mastectomy and wanted to try and keep my breast.

I discussed the options with my Oncologist. He informed me that I did not need the mastectomy and suggested I get a lumpectomy. The node involvement would dictate my plan of action.

I was diagnosed with StageTwo Infiltrating And Intraductal Carcinoma, with node involvement. (4+ ; 4- ; estrogen & progesterone negative)

Treatment protocol was 6 months of high dose chemotherapy and 7 weeks radiation. I had a long hard road ahead of me.

I began my chemotherapy treatment in December 1997 starting with Kytril, Decadron, Cytoxen and Adriamycin, and ending with Methotrexate, Leucovorin, and 5FU. My treatments were intravenously for 6 hours, 3 days a week, running approximately every 4 -5 weeks. At one point my immune system was so low my Oncologist gave me a break in my treatments and I had to have Leukine shots in my stomach every day for a week to bring my white count up.

My last chemo treatment was on my 35th birthday, the best present I ever had!

I started my radiation in June, 1998, five days a week for 7 weeks.

I was finished with everything in mid-July. Everything was fine; I made it to my one-year anniversary of being cancer free. I felt great. I was seeing my Oncologist every 3 months for blood work. I'll admit it was scary going from every day, to every week, to every month, to every three months.

THE MASTECTOMY

In February 1999, my left breast began to itch and produce a red ring around it. I immediately called my oncologist who in turn told me to call my radiologist; they believed it could be "radiation recall." While doing a routine check, he found another lump right on the scarline of the lumpectomy. Although I checked myself everyday, I missed it. He had me lie a different way and when he moved my arm I felt the all too familiar pain. I think I actually knew right then. He scheduled me for a mammogram and sonogram the next day.

Go To Page: 1 2