I always wondered what it would feel like to be told that you had cancer. Well I know now. Since in high school, I had my first biopsy. Everything was fine, back then I didn’t know anyone that had cancer. That was 41 years ago Years and years went by.
I was always checked and always had good reports. I never really worried.
As I was turning 50 years old I finally started having a rash on my chest between both of my breasts. I thought it was probably just a heat rash. (I would not have thought it could be cancer.)
Doctors at OU Health Center, with the latest equipment said, let’s biopsy you right now in the office. They took five biopsies. The next day I received the call I thought I would never have to hear. The doctor called and said I have good news and I have bad news. The biopsies were malignant ... you have cancer.
I thought I would be prepared to hear that. (I think I was in total shock). The good news was the type of cancer was slow growing. The bad news is its stage three and you have had this at least eight years or more. How could this have not been found? I was very healthy and was never ill. The cancer was in the ducts and does not show up normally until it has spread. I also had positive lymph nodes.
So we got to work right away. I started aggressive chemo. We had to get rid of the cancer before I had the surgery. I had three chemos, the cancer was gone. They performed a left mastectomy and removed all of my lymph nodes. After the recovery from that, I had three more chemos, still cancer-free. After all of that, to be extra safe I was given radiation, the maximum amount.
One year out of my life really paid off for me. It gave me a different outlook on life. Never take anything for granted. Live each day as your last, and pray to God you will be there for the next days and years to come.
Sherry Summers, Enid
