On October 27, 2008, as I was showering, I found a lump in my left breast. I called and made an appointment to have my yearly mammogram done early. On November 5, I was told I had breast cancer. I was scared to death.
In 2005, my sister, Debby, had died due to metastasized breast cancer. I went to MO Cancer Associates, and I was told it was caught early. After giving my news to my twin sister, Robin, she went and had a mammogram. She was also diagnosed with breast cancer. It actually mirrored each other. Her’s was on the left, mine was on the right.
In December, I started 6 rounds of chemo. In June of 2009, I had a bi-lateral mastectomy. I chose this option because I had genetic testing and was positive for HER2. Then in July of 2009, I started my 25 rounds of radiation. In September of 2010, I opted to have a hysterectomy because of my risk of ovarian cancer.
Today, I am cancer free and so is my sister. I like to tell her I saved her life because if I haven’t gotten diagnosed, she would of never had the mammogram done. I Fought Like a Girl and won!
The picture is of myself on the right, my twin sister, Robin, in the middle, and my sister, Debby, of the left, who lost her battle.
Rebecca V
Missouri
Submitted 9-19-2012
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, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
