Two years ago this month (Aug 09), I found a lump while taking a shower. I was one of those woman who thought this couldn’t happen to me, low and behold it did. I was so scared wondering what was going to happen to me. Friends from work went to my doctor appts to take notes as I couldn’t remember what day it was, more less what was about to take place in my new world. Life as I knew it was about to change and believe it or not change for the better.
I had surgery for a double mastectomy the end of September and back to work three weeks later. A month later I started 8 treatments of Chemo. The following March I had reconstructive surgery and kept on living….that’s what you do, you keep on living.
My daughter and son were very supportive but my biggest supporters were my 5 grandchildren ages 1-4. They are what got me up in the morning, smiled through each chemo treatment and who made the whole experience go by so quickly because they believed in their YaYa and even wore bandanas because YaYa did. They rubbed my bald head, they hugged my wounds, they surrounded my heart, kept me smiling through a very traumatic time. The little man with me in my picture is my grandson Michael. He is the eldest of twin boys and has disabilities from birth but all you ever notice is that awesome smile on his face. He would sit and rub my head, telling me stories, cuddling and laughing with me for the longest time after chemo. God knew what he was doing when he allowed us to keep Michael in our lives – he was my true inspiration to keep fighting as well as smiling.
Today I am cancer free and proud to say I fight like a girl….because that’s what we do.
Anita
Florida
Submitted 8-31-11
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
What a blessing your grandkids must be! I notice they call you YaYa. That’s the name my kids call my mother, thanks to our Greek lineage. So glad to hear you are cancer free! Thank you for sharing your story with others.
Thank you for sharing this. My kids also call my grandmother YaYa. She is a breast cancer survivor. I think she’s been cancer free for at least 8 yrs. I’ve just been diagnosed ER+PR+ stage II Her2 and am meeting my surgeon tomorrow morning to discuss a bi-lateral mastectomy. I’m terrified… I need stories like this to hold onto my hope.
Take one day at a time you will be fine. i too share similar
story and have a one year old and a three year old when it happened
only last Sept. Double mastectomy er premedicated positive 27 lymph
node removal with 10 positive. i survived 15 rounds of chemotherapy
38 rounds of radiation two pulmonary embolisms 3 awful Cellulitis
infections and lost my mother in law house and job all within 9 months
but guess what….i as well am here to tell you you can do this
you are a very strong woman ok. there is hope i am and everyone on
this fight like a girl site is too. we are all here for you. Bridget bocchino Hochstuhl
By the way thank you for sharing your beautiful story to the author.