Linda

I wasn't terribly surprised to learn that I had breast cancer since my mother, diagnosed at age 54, died of it at age 70. Part of me almost expected it - but in my mid-fifties, not at age 46. My lump was detected by self-exam, not by my yearly mammogram. Because I'm pro-active, have excellent doctors and access to first-rate medical care, here's what transpired within four days: I saw my gynecologist on Tuesday, had mammography and sonogram on Wednesday, saw a surgeon on Thursday, and had a lumpectomy on Friday.

The pathological findings of that surgery (with less difficult recovery than I'd expected) and a of second lymph node excision surgery (with much more difficult recovery than I'd expected) several weeks later indicated that my cancer was Stage 1: smaller than 2 cm, "clean margins" around the excised malignant tissue, and no lymph node involvement. This meant that a mastectomy was not indicated, provided that I augment the lumpectomy with radiation treatment. On this there was clarity. Not so, however, re: chemotherapy.

For stage 1 breast cancer, some oncologists recommend chemo; others do not, as there are risks, notably an increased future risk of leukemia, beyond the immediate onset of menopause with its own constellation of insidious problems. (Temporary side effects such as hair loss, mouth sores, and feeling ill during treatment were not factors in deciding which course of treatment was right for me.)

After much consultation and research, I decided - along with my oncologist and my husband - that because of my relatively young age, the strategy would be to "pull out all the stops" and take the aggressive chemo route. Mine was the "sandwich treatment:" the first 3 cycles of chemo, all the radiation (5 or 6 weeks), then the last 3 cycles of chemo. My hair grew back darker and, for the first time in my life, curly! It's been 11 years since treatment. I am checked regularly and thankfully, have been healthy.