I am a mother, wife, grandmother and a breast cancer survivor.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2011. I had a bilateral mastectomy with recon. I have one more surgery in October, and then my reconstruction will be complete. I am a cancer free patient of Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, NY. I had a great team of doctor’s.
I was fine after the mastectomy, but after the reconstructive surgery I spiraled into a depression. I couldn’t get out of bed. The disease, loss of career, it was all too much for me. I fought taking medication for depression but when I finally gave in, and took them, it saved me. I also got counseling weekly at Cancer Care in Woodbury, NY.
I am not embarrassed by my need for emotional support. I believe anyone of us who is faced with a life threatening disease has to take a step back and really digest what is happening, feel the pain and mourn the losses. I am not 100%, but I am active again and out of bed.
Cathleen D
New York
Submitted 9-3-2012
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 should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice.
