Long Road to Diagnosis I always made sure I went for regular mammograms.  I was perimenopausal and my doctors insisted I go on HRT which, I was informed, caused "scattered densities" on my films.  Each time I went for a mammo, I was recalled three times for retakes on the left breast and followed up in six months.  The conclusion was always "probably benign on the left side."  When I questioned the radiologist, she told me it was "nothing to worry about, they were watching it." After a few years of this, I requested a second opinion but I was in an HMO where I could only use their doctors and facilities.  I waited until November, when I could change my health insurance, and made my mammo appointment with another provider.  Again I was recalled; this time they did a magnified view.  The radiologist told me to go off HRT two months before my next mammo.  By this time I was having hot flashes and told him I didn't want to.  He said I would have to have a biopsy then.  We were leaving the next day for a two week trip to the west coast so I got an appointment with a surgical oncologist in a month and went off HRT.    

Treatment I wasn't too concerned as I was always assured that this was nothing to worry about.  The surgeon was a woman, very nice, friendly but professional and very thorough.  I was amazed at how much time she spent talking to me, taking me for an ultrasound, and then referring me to Roswell Park Cancer Institute for yet another mammogram.  At Roswell, I was again recalled for a magnified view and the radiologist spoke to me.  He said that there was a 15% chance it was cancer and he recommended a surgical biopsy.  He also stated that mammograms are only as good as the person taking them and the person reading them.  My surgical biopsy was a week before Christmas.  I was off work three days.  I went back to the surgeon a week later.  Two days before Christmas, I learned I had breast cancer.  I was in shock.  There had to be some mistake, how could they keep telling me it was nothing, when it was, by that time, invasive breast cancer?  I was angry.  Another surgery in February for re-excision for a wider margin and axillary lymph node dissection was followed by six months of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation. 

Life After Completing Treatment Shortly after completing my breast cancer treatment, I became a grandmother for the first time.  This made it all worth while and took my mind off the big C.  The year following breast cancer, I underwent two major surgeries.  I was working full time through all this, only taking the minimum time off for surgery.  My energy was depleted and I missed my grandson, who lived out of town.  My priorities changed and I made the decision to take early retirement.  I was finally able to get my strength back.  I joined a newly formed breast cancer survivor dragon boat team--Hope Chest.  Working out with the team twice a week and participation in paddling practice and races during the summer has been great.  My husband retired last year and, when we are not busy with grandchildren (now 5 grandsons, including triplets), we enjoy traveling and just being home together. 

My quality of life after breast cancer has been good.  I am blessed with family and friends and I try to enjoy every day and don't worry about minor stuff.  I have learned to question my doctors and if I don't feel confident in their answers, to look elsewhere.  I volunteer in breast cancer organizations and have taken advocacy training with the NBCC.  Breast cancer has altered by body and my life, but I no longer worry about what I cannot control.  Life is good!

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