I was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 days before my 50th birthday on November 6, 2012. My family doctor felt a tiny lump in my left breast when I had gone in to have her check out a cyst in my right breast. I had a mammogram on a Friday and they then did a needle core biopsy that same day. I knew it was breast cancer (gut instinct) so I asked the radiologist what happens next so I would know what to expect.
I wasn’t surprised when they gave me the results that Tuesday. I celebrated my 50th birthday at a Journey concert in Milwaukee with my family on the 16th. I had a lumpectomy on November 28th at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madiosn, Wi. My breast surgeon was Dr. Lee Wilke. She is the head of the Breast Clinic at UW. I started 6 weeks of radiation therapy on Jan. 21, 2013. I started Tamoxifen on March 19, 2013. I met a great group of fellow survivors on BCO. We met in Iowa in 2013 with 3 women from Canada.
In May, I had my first bout of cellulitis in my radiated breast along with shingles. I had a sudden fever and my breast was bright red. The ER doctor (male) told me over the phone that I could probably get into the breast center the next morning. I said I’d see him soon because I wasn’t waiting until morning. Thank God I listened to that little voice inside me. I was on massive antibiotics for 5 days. Then, it happened again. Long story short, I had a mastectomy in July, 2014 with reconstruction then breast reduction on my R breast later. Tamoxifen was bad, AI was worse. I got off of them after 3.5 years. Am 7 years out now. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sheila
Wisconsin
Submitted 06/04/2020
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice.
One Response
Sheila, thank you for sharing your Power Story. It can help empower others facing similar battles.