JOANNE JAGODA

My routine mammogram last March showed an area that the radiologist thought was a cyst but we scheduled an earlier follow up which I had at the end of June. This time I could tell by his body language that he thought my "cyst" was cancer. A biopsy confirmed his findings. I had a successful lumpectomy and recovered beautifully from it. However, there was some spread to my lymph nodes. After a four day harrowing wait for the results of a pet/ct scan, my husband, family and I were incredibly relieved to find out the cancer had not spread further.

I am being treated at UCSF in San Francisco which has a world class state of the art breast cancer treatment facility. I am currently undergoing chemo and will have 8 treatments,. Just got through number 1 which was not a picnic but I'm feeling better and gearing up for the rest of the treatments.

My family and friends have been incredibly supportive. The love and good wishes from them are so helpful.One of my daughters started "Team Savta." Savta is the Hebrew word for grandmother. I have five adorable grandchildren, two are just babies. She sent me a photo with my youngest little guy in a red "team Savta" teeshirt.

After chemo I will have radiation. I also was floored by my diagnosis as I am very healthy, rarely even getting a cold. I have started my own blog to share my story as I wanted my family and friends to come along what I call ,"my detour.," The comments on my blog have been amazing and uplifting.