Kayla’s Story (Breast Cancer)

In August of 2006, I first felt a lump forming on my right breast. I ignored it, thinking I had pulled a muscle at work, since I did very physical work. It went along, and the skin became very red and inflamed. I was afraid to go to the doctor because we had no insurance at the time. I called every organization I could think of, trying to get some help, so I finally went to OU medical center in Oklahoma City, the chief hospital in Oklahoma that does Medicaid patients.

I went in, and the doctor just looked at me. By then, my chest had turned a bright red, and I had developed a lump in my armpit area. He did not give me a good outcome. He ordered tests to confirm that indeed it was inflammatory breast cancer. I remember thinking, “I don’t feel sick. I thought you were supposed to be sick with cancer.” I found out the sickness would come along with no hair and no energy.

I initially did 4 treatments of chemo, then surgery. After surgery, I was scheduled to do Taxol 10 times, but we found out I was allergic and went straight to 35 days of radiation. I can say I never felt very brave or alone. I had so many that cheered me on and held me up when I had those “bad days.”

This October, it will be ten years, and I thank God that I went to OU medical center because I know they saved my life

Kayla
Oklahoma
Submitted 04/26/2016

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.