I'll get you my pretty, and your little boobies too...

Here's how it all started...I have always known I was at risk for breast cancer because my maternal grandmother and all four of her sisters had it.  I had no idea how high the risk was until Oct 09' when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She had a mastectomy in Feb 10' and the day after she came home from the hospital we found out my maternal aunt had breast cancer as well.  She has had chemo, a mastectomy, and is now starting radiation.  I then started having increased surveillance and an ultrasound showed a suspicious looking area.  I underwent a biopsy and it showed "possible" cancer cells.  What????  My son was 18 months old!  I'm only 36 years old!!!  I then had an MRI in May 10' which was clear.  After that, was the lumpectomy which revealed that I had LCIS on my left side (abnormal cells that increase the risk of breast cancer).  Whew!!! What a relief.  I didn't have breast cancer yet...so I thought.  I chose to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy in June 10' and the pathology report after the surgery showed that I had two invasive tumors on my right side.  I then had my lymph nodes removed in July 10' and they were negative.  My breast cancer is considered stage I.  I then started the process of making the agonizing decision regarding treatment.  I could take Tamoxifen for 5 years only or take chemo also to further decrease my chances of a recurrence.  I chose to take chemo too.  I start next Tuesday, August 24, 2010, 6 days before my 37th birthday.  I wouldn't wish a cancer diagnosis on anyone.  This has definitely been the most trying time of my life and there is still a difficult road ahead.  But, I think that crisis can be a catalyst for change and self-discovery and that is how I intend to use this trial.  I have already seen my perspective change as a result of this diagnosis.  What is important (family, friends, the little things) becomes increasingly clear and what is not (appearances, material things, petty resentments/conflicts) become so insignificant.  I'm also becoming much more aware of the love and compassion of others and how blessed I am to have so many supportive people in my life.  I don't know what I would do without them.  More to come...