Joan's Personal Story as a Cancer Survivor

There certainly couldn't have been anyone more unprepared for the diagnosis of cancer than I was on May 19, 1997. My surgeon was convinced from the first time he saw me that I had breast cancer. There was no breast cancer in my family, how could I have breast cancer? I had just had a mammogram four months ago with nothing abnormal in it! I was 52 years old, my Mom, aunts on both sides of the family, and grandmothers live into their 80's and 90's. Little did I realize that only 20% of breast cancer patients have a family link, and there were other cancers in the family which are linked with breast cancer, I just didn't realize it at the time.

Much to my dismay, the day of surgery the frozen section proved the surgeon's suspicions were correct. Even though I had insisted on being awake during the lumpectomy, and I truly was surprised that the diagnosis was cancer, when I was put to sleep for the lymph node removal it was with full assurance that I was in God's hands. I even told my surgeon as much. I know that what ever comes into my life, God is there with me and will walk beside me, and even carry me if need be. For some time after the surgery that feeling of being carried was very real. I believe that was the result of the many prayers being prayed for me during that time, some even by members of this board who were told about me by my dear friend, Kris.

In the January 1997 mammogram film the cancer simply cannot be seen, yet by May it had grown to 2.1 cm. Fortunately it had not spread to the 22 lymph nodes which were removed. Therefore, a lumpectomy, six weeks of radiation, and a five year treatment plan of Tamoxifen were my recommended course of treatment, which to date I continue to follow. As far as I am concerned, cancer is a thing of the past, but its imprint will continue to be part of my life.

What affect has cancer had on my life? It has made me very acutely aware of each and every day. Cancer has given me "new eyes" with which I see the world. I have always been a nature lover, but I see even greater beauty in everything around me. I'll never take life, love, health or happiness for granted again. They are wonderful gifts to be enjoyed, but are not guaranteed. I have a greater compassion for others, especially those who are in any health related problem, and I have an avid desire to help those who are being confronted with cancer to have hope.

One of the changes in my attitude toward living has been if there is something you really want to do, THEN DO IT!! I had always put off certain things to do "someday". One of those things was "someday" I wanted to research my family tree, so January '98 the quest began. This I can tell will be an ongoing project that has no end. Another thing I wanted to do was visit my Aunt Nora in Texas, but there was no one to go with me. My husband, at best, will travel to see sites of interest, but not family - his or mine. Luckily our parents lived near us, and we didn't have to make overnight trips, or else they might have forgotten what we looked like! I went to Texas in May (1998), and spent a few days with my beloved aunt whom I had not seen in 12 years. Then I drove from Dallas to San Antonio to have a "reunion" with "strangers" - 17 truly wonderful people from this group of Cancer Survivors and their families. Before cancer, I would never have traveled alone and done either of those things. I now know how fragile life can be, and that gives me courage to act, take advantage of each day, and do those things that are really important to me. Spending time with my grandchildren is at the top of the list! CARPE DIEM!!

Joan in Georgia, USA