An Update on Breast Cancer

These are breast cancer cells.  I wear this necklace to celebrate that I no longer have them in my body. Though it has been over nine years since my breast cancer diagnosis, it is still an everyday reality for me.  Lately it has become even more so.

My mom has breast cancer.  I am leaving tomorrow to be with her during her surgery and recovery.  This is her 4^th time to have cancer, but the first 3 were Ewing’s sarcoma.  Now breast, which can be a secondary cancer to Ewing’s.  We’ve known for several months, so I have had a lot of time to process and work on my own feelings in therapy.

Her type is different from mine. However, there are some similarities: same breast, two separate spots, radical mastectomy with lymph node biopsy.  Pathology will determine any next steps.  Her age is on her side.

Being the “expert” on breast cancer is a responsibility I did not ask for, yet usually I am happy to share my story.  I am just so grateful to be alive, and want to be supportive and walk alongside others.  Having it be my mom, though, has been challenging. I want to be there for her, obviously, but I also do not want it to be in my family.  I do not love that my preteen and teen daughters are having to deal with breast cancer again.  Luckily, mom and I don’t have the BRCA 1 or 2 genes, but the potential to get breast cancer is still in their minds.

I worked through a lot of my grief from cancer in therapy years ago.  However, mom’s diagnosis has brought it all back.  Especially as we prepare for her surgery this week, I am remembering more than I would like. A mastectomy is a loss of a body part, though one that is easily hidden. Occasionally, I will be shocked to look down and see nothing there. My scar is beautiful, though. 

In September I had my own scare, and the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound showed nothing. All this was happening while my mom was also doing testing, so it was a worrisome time.  Since then I have had my annual checkups with my ob/gyn and oncologist, and both gave me physical exams.  Next month will be my annual mammogram.   

This is your reminder to do monthly breast self-exams (male or female), and to schedule your annual mammogram if you are over 40.  No matter your age or gender, have any suspicious lumps or bumps checked out sooner rather than later. Vigilance matters.

Here is the one minute commercial about breast cancer that aired during the Super Bowl.  As Wanda Sykes says, early detection makes a difference.  It did for my mom.   

I would appreciate any prayers, good vibes, and positive energy you send our way.  As female medieval English Catholic mystic Julian of Norwich wrote, “all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”