In November 2004, I had my yearly mammogram. There was a slight shadow like the last two years. I was sent back for a second test, which they did three times with the same results. The radiologist wanted to do an ultrasound to make sure. After the ultrasound he said I should see a surgeon and referred me to Dr. Dang for a needle biopsy.
I made an appointment for January 3rd. My husband went with me for support. Dr. Dang felt that it would be conclusive to do a partial biopsy. He scheduled the surgery for January 10th. After the surgery I was supposed to get the results back on Tuesday, but it was delayed until Thursday. Needless to say, I was on pins and needles waiting for the results. The report came back that I had a T-1 breast cancer. Dr. Dang explained all my options and gave me the Women Supporting Women bag. After reading it, I decided to have a modified radical mastectomy, which would get rid of the cancer and might not require radiation.
There were anxious moments and many tears. Before my surgery, I contacted Women Supporting Women and made an appointment with Ginny Reister. She came over and talked with my husband and me. Ginny took as much time as we wanted and laid everything out for us. She told us what to expect before, during and after surgery. What a comfort she was. Surgery was scheduled for February 16th. I opted for reconstruction at the same time.
After the surgery I was in the hospital for two nights. I came home and really didn't feel too bad. My husband helped me change the dressing and empty the drain tubes without batting an eye. When he did that, I knew we would be OK. The support I received, even before my surgery, from family, friends, and co-workers was tremendous. There probably wasn't more than a day or two to pass without a card, e-mail, or phone call checking on me. Women Supporting Women was there for me all the way. I went to Phoenix with my husband on March 8th. This was a business trip for him and a little relaxation for me before my chemo started. The trip helped me with my confidence to be comfortable in public.
I started chemo on March 29th. It would take a couple of hours every other Wednesday for 16 weeks. After the first treatment, and before I started to lose my hair, my husband had me shave HIS head. He thought that I was "pulling his leg" at first, but my hair was gone after my second chemo. So we were both bald.
Normal sessions were on Wednesday and by Thursday afternoons I would start to feel the effects of the chemo. It would carry through Friday and Saturday. I was pretty well drained. I would rebound well until the next session. It was difficult at first to accept how tired I was. Once I accepted that, and started taking afternoon naps, I felt 100% better.
Throughout the whole ordeal, the support was unbelievable. Cards, phone calls, e-mails, and a lot of help with our meals. I didn't realize how well our friends and neighbors could cook. Then too I made friends with other patients undergoing chemo at the same time; we still meet regularly at WSW activities and we are all doing well.
The day I had circled on my calendar, July 7th, finally came. It was my last chemo session. I was wondering what was next and what the doctor would say. My oncologist, Dr. Taylor told me that my blood count was good and everything was great. He surprised me when he told me that I was Cancer-Free! There will be many follow-ups, but this time there were a lot of happy tears!
 I had my follow up reconstruction done on August 10th. It wasn't too bad, one night in the hospital and a couple of days of soreness. My blood count is good, my taste buds are coming back and my hair is starting to show. I started back to work on August 29th. Just half days to start. On my first day back there was a big "Welcome Back Jan" sign over my desk. Also, over 30 women were wearing pink!
It has been a whirlwind 9 to 10 months. Let me tell you, it has not been easy. I do realize how fortunate I am. Without the support from everyone (even people I did not know!) I know it would have been even more difficult. I plan to do as much as possible to help others just the way that people have helped me.
SUPPORT & PRAYERS DO WORK!
Note: Jan & Ross have gone through this totally together. They have attended WSW events and have helped others going through the same process during Jan's chemo and therapy treatments. They have generously supported our WSW activities financially and all with a positive attitude.
Jan's story first appeared in our October 2005 Newsletter |
