My ordeal began at the end of 1997. I had an itch on my breast. As I was applying Cortizone to my right breast, I felt a hard lump below my nipple. My first thought was that I had a tumor. My next thought was that it was my reservation to a better place. I embraced the new knowledge of my lumpy breast and silently looked forward to a joyous homecoming.

Sometime in late spring my daughter Yvette and I started walking. She was planning on having a baby and wanted to be in shape for an easier delivery. One day as we were walking I thought I should prepare her for my last journey. I asked her, "What would you say if I told you I had found a lump on my breast?" She said, "Have you made an appointment with a doctor yet?" I said, "I didn't say I had a lump, just what would you say if I did?" She said, "I am not stupid. If you don't make an appointment I will do it myself and I will take you to the doctor a empujones if necessary!"

In June, she asked me about the lump, and if I had been to see a doctor. I said "no," so the next day she called an OB/GYN and made an appointment for me. On June 28th I had a breast examination and a Pap Smear done for the first time in about fifteen years. The Nurse Practitioner that examined me found another lump above the nipple in addition to the original lump that I had found below the nipple. She recommended a mammogram and an ultra sound examination. The tests showed two large tumors on the right breast and a small one on the left breast. The Radiologist was concerned about the two tumors on the right breast and recommended that I see a surgeon right away.

I was very lucky to have been referred to an excellent, humane doctor. He was more interested in my life, than my ability to pay. I had no insurance. He scheduled me for a breast biopsy on July 15th. Two days before the biopsy, Yvette told me that she was pregnant. She had to be very careful because she was at a stage in her condition where she could have a miscarriage. I reluctantly went for the biopsy, and went home thinking that I did not have cancer. I called friends and family and told everyone that I was fine. I didn't know that the doctor had told Yvette that both tumors were cancerous and that I would need to have a modified radical mastectomy. He told her not to tell me, but she could not keep it from me. She told me that if I didn't have the operation, I was going to die. I didn't think that was such a bad alternative. She had a very different opinion, in fact she got hysterical and cried and said she did not want me to die. She wanted her baby to have a grandmother. That night I went through my own hysterics. I prayed and cried for an answer to my ordeal. Of course, there was only one course of action. If it came down to my right breast and the life of my unborn grandchild, there was no choice. I had to have the surgery.

I entered the hospital on August 5th for the operation, but an EKG had detected a possible heart problem. The doctor said I had a heart attack sometime in my past. A heart specialist did a procedure and determined that the damage to the heart was not bad enough to postpone the surgery. The following day I had the mastectomy and two days later I was discharged from the hospital. I was glad to be home and happy to feel so well. It was not the nightmare I had feared.

On September 3rd I had the first of four scheduled chemotherapy treatments. The treatments have been amazingly good. I have not had sores in my mouth, constipation, or diarrhea. I have had an upset stomach, but no vomiting. Thank God for small favors! On October 10th I had the third treatment, and now I have only one more to go.

There are a number of things that have helped me do so well. First my family made the effort to be with me every step of the way. Next, the outpouring of prayers that was offered up for me. The power of prayer was manifested one more time. Ultimately, I was lucky to have been treated by such a skilled and sympathetic doctor. I am grateful that God has given me the blessings of faith and a firm belief in the after life. I truly think that there is a better place. I also know that the better place will be there when He calls me home.

Anonymous

Las Cruces, NM