Diane Johnson at work |
Previous Survivor Stories
Bucks County
Her Diagnosis
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on March 23, 2007, my 50th birthday! I just happened to reach up to the medicine cabinet and saw the lump on my breast in the mirror. I scheduled a mammogram right away, had a biopsy and then a partial mastectomy. When I went back to the hospital two weeks later, I learned that it had spread. I was devastated. I had to have a second surgery, chemo and radiation.
Tired & Ready to Give Up
I went through the three weeks of chemotherapy and started the radiation treatment and then I gave up. I couldn’t handle it emotionally and I wanted to die. With nowhere to live at that time, I went back into an abusive relationship. I was living with cancer and with someone who was taking away my self-esteem and my desire to live and keep going.
Months later, I just woke up one morning tired of being tired, tired of being abused, tired of being afraid. I prayed for God to give me direction, even though I was disappointed that God had not let me die when I wanted so desperately to give up on myself.
“I was afraid. Afraid of hearing that the cancer had spread; afraid that I would be told it was my own fault for stopping treatment; afraid I would be blamed; afraid I would be told that it was too late. As it turned out, no one said any of those things to me. ”
- Diane Johnson |
Getting Over the Fear
I walked away from that relationship and went out on three job interviews and was offered all three jobs. I started a new position, managing marketing and advertising for the car wash at Cramer Airport Parking in Middletown. Soon after I started working there I talked with the owner, Stan Cramer, about the breast cancer and he said “I have someone I want you to meet.” He gave me Pat Halpin-Murphy’s phone number at the PBCC. I believe that choosing the job that would ultimately put me in touch with the PBCC was the answer to my prayers. Still, I didn’t call for another two months, when I finally had to give in to Stan’s constant urging.
I was afraid. Afraid of hearing that the cancer had spread; afraid that I would be told it was my own fault for stopping treatment; afraid I would be blamed; afraid I would be told that it was too late. As it turned out, no one said any of those things to me. I didn’t know what to expect when I called the PBCC. I certainly did not know they would tell me that there was free treatment available for women like me who have no insurance. The relief I felt when I heard about free treatment was incredible, like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. Everyone supported me and the PBCC kept following up with me to make sure I had made medical appointments and showed up for them.
A Second Chance
I want to tell other women not to shut down or give up, that there are people who want to help you, people you may not even know yet. Now, thanks to the PBCC, I am receiving free treatment at Wellspan York Cancer Center in York PA through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment (BCCPT) program. I have a wonderful nurse navigator guiding me along the way. I will be on tamoxifen and have 4 – 6 weeks of radiation. Now I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life through Stan Cramer, the PBCC, and the free treatment program. I’m not going to take anything for granted again. I feel like every day is a blessing. I want to live.
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