My Story.

This page is dedicated to my grandma Grace Poore

May 7,1924- August 16, 2001

My story begins back in November 1997. I woke up as usual to start my day. I was taking my morning shower when I felt a lump in the center of my left breast. I immediately woke my husband to check and see if I had actually felt something there. He confirmed what I had found. There was a lump and it was large.

We called our family physician as soon as the office opened and got an appointment for that day.The doctor did an examination but couldn't figure out what the lump could be. So he referred me to a truly wonderful surgeon.

The surgeon did an examination. He tried drawing fluid out with a needle and having it sent off to be examined. The results were inconclusive.

I am now beginning to think maybe it's a cyst and not cancer after all. So the surgeon sends me for a mammogram. The results were a large mass. Okay, back to being scared again.

It came down to doing a biopsy. So I entered the hospital on November 25, 1997 as an out-patient.The biopsy went well and I was sent home. We finally heard from the doctor about the results, the day after Thanksgiving. My worst fear was confirmed. I had CANCER!

I gave my husband the phone and ran out of the house crying...WHY ME?!?! The neighbors probably thought I was nuts running around the yard crying and yelling with no one else out there.

Once I gained a bit of control, I asked my husband to take me to my parents and grandma. They cried with me, but my dad helped me understand it a bit more. My dad told me to think of cancer as rust on a car. Easily removed and polished to look like new. That actually made sense to me.

Once the crying was over, it was time to make a decision. Lumpectomy or mastectomy? My husband and I agreed on the mastectomy. A hard decision for a gal who was only 34 years old. But the right one in my mind.

I entered the hospital on December 9, 1997 for the mastectomy and reconstruction (done by a plastic surgeon). I was in a lot of pain afterwards, but I am the type that "Laughter IS the best medicine." While recuperating at home 2 days later, I made the mistake of rolling from my side to my back. I wound up making everyone laugh by saying..."Help, terry the tortoise can't get up!" Between the stitches and the weight of the implant, I couldn't get up if I was on my back. So I nicknamed myself..Terry the Tortoise. lol

Chemotherapy

I was sent to an oncologist for consultation on what kind and how much chemo I would need. She sent me for every test and x-ray that can possibly be done. Anyone ever seen their ENTIRE insides? It's kinda cool even though my oldest daughter thinks it's gross.....lol

Anyway, all the tests came back showing no signs of the cancer having spread. Thank God.

I was then set up to receive chemotherapy sessions. I was to receive 6 treatments at once every 3 weeks. I actually handled that better then some. I never got sick or anything like that. I spent my time sitting there either crocheting hats for me to wear or playing my hand held poker.

After my 3rd treatment, my hair started falling out. My husband was the volunteer to shave my head for me. Butch has a lot of strength to be able to shave his wife bald. But then every man likes a change now and then...lol

It was hard accepting the hair loss, but in time I did. I had to be strong for my kids. They were all so young and just as scared as I was. I went out and bought the usual...hats, scarves, wigs and I usually wore them. But mostly the hats. I only wore the wigs for "special" occasions.

I actually had fun while I was bald. I would pull my hat off in public just to see peoples reactions. lol I would put things on my head for different "styles." I even had a clown paint eyes on the back of my head at my husbands company cookout. The other employees couldn't get over how well I was handling the situation. They wound up taking pictures of me. Which you will see in my photos I'm going to add in at the bottom.

Speaking of handling it, as you may know, with a mastectomy, you lose the nipple also. Well, you know those smiley stickers kids get at Walmart? Well I got one and put it there. I thought the doctors false teeth were going to fall out when he saw it. He and the nurse cracked up....LOL

Sorry, I got off track. After the chemo, I had to go through 6 weeks of radiation everyday (except weekends). That went really well. I met a lot of other patients. One man Mr. Bailey, he had brain cancer. I felt really bad for him, but he too was handling the situation the best he could. You have to, you can't just give up. You have to fight, be strong and NEVER lose faith!

Well, to finish up my story. All the treatments went great. But the plastic surgery was a flop. After 3 tries, I gave up. The last try caused me to get a bacterial infection from the hospital (though I couldn't prove it) and it caused a hole the size of a quarter on my breast. It's healed up now, but I have no breast. And ya know what, I don't really care. All that matters is I'M ALIVE!!

Many thanks to...

My husband for standing by me and loving me for what I have and don't have.

My children for not running away when mommy embarrassed them in public.

My parents for helping me through the rough times.

My grandma (who passed away in August 2001) for helping to answer many questions. You see, my grandma was also a cancer survivor.

My in-laws from Germany who flew here to help out with my appointments and around the house.

My friend Karen who also was going through breast cancer at the same time.

And I want to thank the Lord above for my "miracle baby." I was told the chemo had put me through menopause and I couldn't have anymore children. Well, I now have a beautiful baby boy who was born in August 2000.

I love you ALL VERY MUCH!

For ladies everywhere...HEAR my word. Do your monthly self-breast exams, get regular check ups and NEVER give up hope.

When times get tough, remember....Laughter Is The Best Medicine. But it doesn't replace the knowledge of a good doctor.

God Bless America!