The year was 1985, late spring. My mother, Minnie Scott, felt a lump in her right breast, close to the center of her chest.
After being misdiagnosed for three years, we finally received a diagnosis of breast cancer. I don't really remember the specific diagnosis or stage. But from what I have learned since then and personal experience, the diagnosis would have been metastatic breast cancer and stage 4.
During that time, a radical mastectomy was the treatment of choice. During the surgery, the doctors discovered that the cancer had attached to a rib. The treatments after surgery were chemotherapy and radiation.
After nine months, the cancer reappeared in the spine, pelvis, kidneys and stomach lining, which meant more chemotherapy and radiation were needed. We were informed the cancer would eventually take her life.
The promise was made to her, with me being her only daughter, that I would have annual mammograms. My mother died Oct. 1, 1989, of metastatic breast cancer.
Fast forward to May 18, 2018, during my annual mammogram. A new updated machine was used to perform a 2-D mammogram. I was notified on May 31 that a 3-D mammogram and ultrasound were needed on my right breast.
On June 14, an ultrasound-led biopsy was performed and on June 18, I received the official diagnosis of stage 1 breast cancer.
My immediate reaction was to inform my children and create a plan.
My children were young, ages 7 and 9, when my mother passed. I had always thought that if I ever was diagnosed with breast cancer I wouldn't want to suffer through chemotherapy, radiation and all the side effects that went along with the diagnosis. My children immediately wanted me to see the best doctors in the country, so we chose MD Anderson in Houston, Texas.
I had some acquaintances who made it possible for me to secure an appointment fairly quickly on July 12.
To be honest I was very overwhelmed at this first appointment. My morning began with a 6:30 a.m. check-in. I was given a patient number and multiple appointments for the next two days.
For those of you that aren't familiar, MD Anderson is a medical city nestled in downtown Houston. I'm very surprised it doesn't require its own zip code! During these two days I was introduced and assigned to the team of doctors who would ultimately remove and treat my breast cancer.
I also informed my team of doctors at that time that I had a timeline of my own. I needed the surgery and treatments to be completed by October as I had to attend the wedding of my son and my future daughter-in-law in Missouri.
On July 19 I met with my team, which also included a plastic surgeon. Twenty years earlier I had breast implants and they would need to come out. The plan was to perform a lymph node, lumpectomy, implant removal and a breast lift all on the next day.
After being given the plan and processing the information, I had my first breakdown. My daughter, a nurse, was ready for this moment. She lovingly gave me a pep talk and distracted me with a movie date to see "Ocean's 8."
I made the decision on the day of surgery to remove the implants but not have the breast lift. My plastic surgeon explained to me that I would have anchor-shaped scarring and would probably need drains for the next couple of weeks. The thought of that process was more than I could bear. So at that moment I calmed myself with the saying "What God has forgotten, stuff with cotton."
As with my mother, I learned it takes a village to get through the diagnosis, surgery, treatment and recovery. For me it was just one day at a time and staying busy. The thought of worrying about what could happen wasn't something I could deal with.
I worked full-time with an understanding employer and co-workers. Family, friends and church reached out to assist and pray for my battle to be as smooth as possible and for me to be cancer-free.
I was given a cancer survival basket by my cousin, who was very involved with the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure foundation. Among the gifts were many wonderful reminders that God and my family had my back. One of the gifts that has been especially precious to me was a journal. I documented my complete cancer journey along with how I felt at the time.
Going back and reading my journal has brought back a variety of emotions, almost like I'm reliving everything all again. My prayer throughout this time was "It is what it is and God has it."
Six weeks of recovery after the surgery, then back to MD Anderson to be released to my oncology doctor. I was cleared by my surgeons and felt really good about my outcome. Because the tumor was small and was not in the lymph nodes, the radiation was only scheduled for 10 treatments.
Dr. Walters, my oncologist, had disturbing news for me during a visit and for the first time I realized that the cancer definitely had a mind of it's own. From the time the tumor was found and removed, it had doubled in size. I began radiation treatments on August 28.
The radiation treatments were set up for 30 days - 30 treatments in my hometown of Texarkana, Texas. Every morning at 7:30 a.m. I had my radiation treatment, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Then I returned to my full-time job and continued with my life.
On September 26, I had a new scan to make sure everything was shrinking and dying. Because of this scan, seven more treatments were added.
Remember my plan to be finished with treatments and everything by October for my son's wedding? I realized that God had a different plan.
I was not happy and wanted to stop everything. I wanted to feel good for my son's wedding. After days of sadness, my prayers helped me to accept I could no longer change the circumstances. I let the simple, quiet and daily miracles find me.
My last treatment was October 19, 2018. Yipeee!!! Dr. Walters then placed me on Arimidex, a medication I would have to take for the next five years to kill the estrogen that fed the tumor. This was the same type of tumor that my mother had been diagnosed with in 1985. The side effects of Arimidex were all right and my body adjusted. The highest cost was the loss of energy and fatigue.
My promise to my mother is also kept by my daughter, who will have her first mammogram this year. After my diagnosis, she made the decision to be tested for the BRACA gene. I thank the Lord hers was negative. Yearly mammograms and monthly breast exams was her promise to me.
On August 11, 2020, I had my yearly mammogram at Wadley Breast Center and was officially cancer-free!
God has blessed me with encouragement, kind words, support and love. My children wanted me healed. Their love and support is my strength. My entire family has lifted me up in prayer and love. Many church families were lifting me up in prayer to be healed. Most important, I have felt God's loving and protecting arms carrying me through this entire journey. I thank and praise the God of my understanding every day. n