Women Supporting Women (WSW) changes the lives of everyone that is involved in their support group. Being a cancer survivor, cancer patient, or even just a concerned family member. WSW has helped the lives of many, including mine. My name is Myra Ramsey and I've been involved with WSW since my diagnosis, and here is my story of survival.
I was 42 years old when I had a hysterectomy, and shortly after my operation I was diagnosed with breast cancer, talk about image problems. I knew the importance of self-examinations, especially since I was a nurse for 25 years. I remember finding the lump myself, and scheduling a mammogram and a sonogram; even though the doctors told me the lump was nothing, and not to worry about it. I knew that it was cancer, I felt it in my gut, and I turned out to be right, lucky me. The feeling of seeing the surgeon, having a lumpsectomy, and returning to remove the stiches was surreal. When the doctor read me the pathology report my world stopped, the air around me was sucked into the vast void of cancer, my worst fear. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 infiltrating ductal carcinoma with negative does. At that very moment I was no longer a nurse, I was going to become "That Woman" a woman without a breast, my world was going to change, because of cancer. After my 24-hour pity party for myself I went into survivor mode, and researched plastic surgeons, oncologist; and then scheduled all appropriate appointments. My research did not stop there; for many nights I frantically searched the net for information, and chat rooms for guidance. I contacted my insurance company to confirm exactly what treatments, surgeries, and other services that would be covered by them. Only three weeks from the time of my diagnosis I had my mastectomy, and the beginning stages of my reconstruction were performed. I felt that I was in control because I discovered the cancer early and I was doing every step necessary to defeat it. My fears began to diminsh, because I armed myself with knowledge. That summer I went through four rounds of chemotherapy, and as we all know is not pleasant. It was a hot summer, so the lack of hair was appropriate. Nine months later I was back at work, and put all the worries of cancer behind me, I thought I defeated it. I still became very anxious before doctor's appointments, and had plenty of reason for it. Two years later my tumor markers began to rise and cancer reared its ugly head back into my life. The one worry I feared most was "metastasis" and that was exactly what it was. The breast cancer metastisized to my liver, and I started chemotherapy again. I stayed on chemo for three solid years, and had many complications during this time, but I stayed in survivor mode. This past December I was diagonosed again with bone metastasis, and changed treatments a few months later. I'm no longer on chemotherapy, and am trying hormone therapy, and this treatment seems to be helping.
I feel as if I'm a totally different person, and don't mind living with the minor difficulties, as long as I'm alive. Doctor's can't guarantee quantity of life, as we all k now very well, but my doctor is certainly giving me quality time. I will never give up the fight, and I will never stop arming myself, and others with the knowledge to win this war against cancer. Knowledge gives me, and others more control over this terrible disease. I have meet many survivors, and the one thing we have in common is the will to live, and to never stop learning. Women Supporting Women can assist us all in educating us about our disease, and all you have to do is reach for it. Good luck to all, and may God be with you. Remember never to give up, and stay hopeful for the future.
Sadly, we lost this wonderful advocate & friend on 12/14/2007.
Myra gave support and hope to many while struggling with her own battle.
We miss you, Myra.
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