I am a 10 year breast cancer survivor.  I have a history of breast cancer in my family so I was very diligent about breast self exams and mammograms.  My mother got breast cancer at the age of 55 and I discovered my cancer at the age of 55.  My mom died at the age of 59 from bone cancer as a direct result of her breast cancer.  I am still alive and cancer free at 61 because I took immediate action, as opposed to my mom who tried to ignore it, thinking it would go away.  35 years ago that is the way a lot of woman thought.  She kept it a secret too long and suffered an agonizing 4 years.  I knew I would not be going down that path.  Early detection is the key.   I never asked why me and I can’t say I was ever scared of what might happen.  My cancer was estrogen fueled, very aggressive, and at a stage 3 when I found it so needless to say there wasn’t much time to think about it.  

 

I opted for a double mastectomy because of my history, and I wasn’t going through this again.  Surgery was first, then chemo and radiation.  I lost my hair which was kind of cool because I didn’t have to worry about bad hair days.  Was there bad days, hell yeah, but did I ever doubt my choices or give up, hell no.   I fought like a girl and kicked cancers ass.  My reward:  a tummy tuck and bigger, better boobs!  What more could a girl ask for.