Imagine being a new mom with a six month old baby and hearing the doctor say you have breast cancer. That’s my mom’s story and it’s part of my story. My mom and her three sisters all had breast cancer. It took the lives of my Aunt Betty and Aunt Tressa in the 1970s. My mom and my Aunt Rowena fought and won. So you can understand why my mind always carried the thought “not if, but when.” I was diagnosed with breast cancer on September 23, 2022 following my annual mammogram. And even with my mindset, they were still hard words to hear.

The doctor immediately gave me the reassurance I needed by saying (1) it has been detected early, (2) it is small, (3) it is 100% treatable, and (4) it is 100% curable. I was quickly filled with hope and peace. Mammograms aren’t my idea of fun because they’re uncomfortable but they save lives. I’ve never missed getting one annually since my mid 30s. Early detection made this journey easier and less scary. I also believe God is giving me this opportunity to be a light to others. I know of at least seven friends who didn’t get mammograms during Covid and were inspired to make that appointment and get those boobs squished.

This crazy journey got even crazier between diagnosis and surgery. More mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies and MRIs. My incredible medical team wanted to make certain there weren’t any other areas where cancer might be present. I actually started keeping count of how many different people touched my breasts. It is now well over 30. If you are a modest person, breast cancer will remove all that modesty.

There was one moment when I thought I should be back in Oklahoma having all of this done. It was at night, I couldn’t sleep and I was allowing negative thoughts and fear to creep in. I knew that wasn’t going to help, so I prayed for clarity. The next morning my answer came with the reassurance that I had great care here and I was exactly where I needed to be. Long distance love and support from family and friends was overwhelming. I had surgery here in Santa Fe November 10. Fortunately I only needed a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsies. My sweet daughter and husband were wonderful caregivers during my recovery. Surgery pain was minimal but I was not prepared for the discomfort that lingered from the biopsies. Apparently sticking needles in your muscles and removing little parts of them makes them angry.

More great news in this journey came with my Oncotype score. I am in awe of the advancements in medicine. They can tell if you’re likely to have cancer somewhere else in your body or a reoccurence. Thankfully my score was low and I would not need chemo. Radiation was the path determined by my medical team including my surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. Nineteen total treatments here in Santa Fe. It takes longer to drive to the cancer center than the duration of the treatment. I started December 19 and will finish January 16. Yes, I was sad that Christmas with family wouldn’t happen but a tiny imposition. Sarah is due February 7 and I wanted to make sure I was finished and had a few weeks to recover before our grandson makes his grand entrance.

I’ve been supported by so many with prayers, cards, calls, texts, gifts, encouragement and love. This diagnosis gave me the opportunity to connect with friends and family who have traveled a cancer journey of their own. Thank you over and over for making this easier. I hope to do the same for others.

A final note: Our granddaughter had her kidney cancer follow-up appointment at St. Jude earlier this week and is doing great. My brother will travel back to MD Anderson in early February for an appointment in his journey with liver cancer. I’m praying for clear test results and another champion to beat cancer!