Debbie

I teach Kindergarten and one day two of my students pulled my arm back so hard that they moved my whole body backwards. Over the next 3 days, my arm hurt so bad that I could barely move it. During that time, a sore spot and lump came up in my right breast. I thought I had another blocked milk duct. I did what I have done in the past to treat a blocked duct with hot and cold compresses for 2 weeks. The lump continued to hurt. However, it was now the last week of school, and teachers do not do anything but school on that last week. Our last day as a teacher was on a Friday. The following Monday was Memorial Day. The Tuesday after Memorial Day, I called my doctor and they office staff stated there were no appointments for that day. I said thank you and humg up. Ten minutes later, I called back and said I had a lump and I wanted it checked out. The office said to come in and they would work me in. The doctor examined the lump, and told me I needed to go have an ultrasound mammogram. As I was getting in my car, I called the Imaging Center to set up an appointment for the mammogram. They could see me the next day, Wednesday. I knew something was up when the technician took longer than normal, and then said she would be right back. When she returned, the doctor was with her. The doctor spent several minutes examining the breast. She said that I needed a biopsy. This was scheduled for the next day, Thursday. Seven days after the biopsy,at age 55, I was told I had breast cancer, that was June 6th. I had Infiltrating Ductal Cancer, HER2 positive,Stage 2, I started chemotherapy on July 2nd and have one more round on October 14th. After chemotherapy is finished, I will have surgery. I have decided to have a bi-lateral masectomy and reconstruction surgery. This has been an adventure, and I learn more and more daily. I never really paid attention to just how many differnt types of breast cancer there are, much less how many different types of cancer, period. I thank God everyday for his love and support. I count my blessings, and take one day at a time.