When I was a freshman in college my Mom
was diagnoses with breast cancer. She had been sent by her
family doctor to a heart specialist and this doctor found a
small lump in her breast. When Mom's family doctor examined the
lump he did not like what he felt so he sent my Mom to the
hospital for further tests.
At that time they did a mammogram which showed something.
Even then some of the doctors did not think it was anything but
they decided to do a biopsy. Many were very surprised when
the biopsy came back positive. I don't even think the
operating room was even setup to do the mastectomy the doctors
were so sure it was nothing. So they setup the operating
room and signed the paper work and on September 27, 1978 my Mom
had a mastectomy.
During Mom's recovery I always remembered her doing her
"rope" exercise. She would throw a rope over a
door and first stretch one arm up and then the other. The
doctors had removed lymph nodes and some muscle so this
"simple" exercise was pretty difficult and painful for
Mom but she persevered and made a full recovery.
Then in March 1981 we received another scare. During
her regular mammogram (and sonogram) they found a
"mass" in the remaining breast. Tests were done;
questions asked and answered; emotions ran high. There was
a lot of discussion about doing a needle biopsy but there was a
great deal of fear that the doctors would not get the exact spot
where the "mass" was in the breast. What if they
missed and the biopsy was negative but cancer was still there
growing?
The fear was too great and the risk too high so the decision
was made to remove the other breast. The biopsy proved to
be negative. Looking back I've often wondered was God's
hand in that decision and I like to think yes. Some people
may think what a terrible thing to lose a breast for no reason.
But no one but God knows what the future holds and I believe
that God protected my Mom.
My mother is a 23 year cancer survivor. Through the
years many women in her small Alabama town have had breast
cancer. My mom has been right there counseling, holding
their hands and giving support as only a breast cancer survivor
can do. She has lost many friends to this terrible
disease.
In the last two years (1999 and 2000) my Mom and I have
participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure walk in
Houston, Texas. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing this event
with her. Cancer survivors are given pink hats and
t-shirts to help them stand out in the crowd. I think this is
very encouraging for many women. There is such a sense of
togetherness when these outstanding and courageous women meet
that it is indescribable.
Sincerely,
Sherri
