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Debbie’s Story (Breast Cancer)

Debbie's Story - Breast CancerI am a 52 year old Christian wife, mother, sister and grandmother, who has been very blessed with a loving, caring husband, and so many loving and compassionate family and friends.

My journey began with my annual mammogram screening at Raleigh Radiology in August 2012. Within three days, I was contacted by my physician recommending further diagnostic testing to examine an area of concern on my left breast. l was then urged to get further diagnostic testing. I went back one week later for another mammogram.

On September 10th, I was diagnosed with early stage invasive ductal carcinoma in my left breast. On October 31st, I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction (a proactive choice, and one that my husband and I were fully at peace about all along). Not once did we waiver towards a lumpectomy or single mastectomy. It just didn’t feel comfortable. I also had 12 lymph nodes removed that tested negative. The mass was 5.2 cm (a lot bigger than determined initially). That put me at being diagnosed with Stage 2B, where the original tests showed Stage 1. Chemotherapy was not going to be needed or recommended based on the oncotype DX score of 8.

I am taking tamoxifen and am very blessed to be cancer free. Based on the percentage of distant recurrence of 6% with Tamoxifen as a part of the regimen, it was determined by my oncologist that the chemo would present more of a risk than a benefit.

A KEY TO SURVIVAL….STAY POSITIVE AND HAVE FAITH IN GOD TO LEAD YOU. FOLLOW THE PEACE HE GIVES YOU.

Debbie
North Carolina
Submitted 5-19-2013

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.

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