When I was in treatment, a nurse told me she saw marriages strengthened through breast cancer and others that fell apart. My marriage was definitely strengthened. My husband did things for me I never thought he would be able to do. Todd was my nurse after my bi-lateral mastectomy. He fed me, emptied my drains, bathed me, and made sure he gave me the pain meds on time. It was incredible.
I had found the lump myself. I just moved my hand across my breast and felt it. I got on the bed and asked Todd to check but he could not feel it. Fortunately, two doctors live next door and I asked one of them to come over. She did a breast exam right there in my living room. She said not to worry but to schedule a diagnostic mammogram. I had the mammogram and there it was. I was more afraid than I had ever been in my life when I heard the words “you have cancer.” I drove to where my husband works and fell into his arms. We retreated to our home. We had been planning a weekend at the beach and were all packed to go. I decided that nothing changes, not the plans to go away and not the things we wanted to do. I just kept saying that I wanted to live, I wanted to grow old with him, and I wanted to dance with our son Eric at his wedding.
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. My surgeon said that is run-of-the-mill breast cancer and you are going to get through this. Hearing that made me feel much better. I put on my armor and went to battle at every chemo session. I wore the same outfit each time, my survivor t-shirt. My treatments turned into parties. When folks at the infusion center saw people coming in with balloons, they knew those visitors were coming to see me.
God was in this with me throughout. I knew I was a spoiled princess, daughter of the most high King.
I joined a support group called Loving Arms, the only faith-based support group in Berks County. When I meet women who are newly diagnosed I tell them to let people help you. If friends offer to clean your house, let them. If people want to cook meals for you, let them. If they cook something you cannot eat, feed the meal to your family. The outpouring of love, encouragement, and support I received was incredible. That only happens when God puts that on their hearts.
In the end, I got everything I asked for. Todd and I take walks, relax at the beach, and enjoy our time together. I danced at our son Eric’s wedding in May. He and his beautiful wife Jeannie are expecting a baby in October. Boy or girl, the baby will wear a pink ribbon. I have already picked out a onsie that says “I wear pink for my Grandma!”
