In late 2016, I went for my annual physical which included a breast exam.  The doctor found a small lump, which I said was the same one they had been seeing in my mammograms for the past 10 years.  We agreed since I had a mammogram within the past 18 months, that we would “watch” it, wait and see.   

I was coming up on my 5 year anniversary of being cancer free from the colo-rectal cancer and had my colonoscopy scheduled, when I realized that the tiny lump that been there for years was growing - quickly!  As happens, life gets in the way.  At first I procrastinated a bit -it was too early in the am or too late in the afternoon to call, then there were soccer practices and games, cooking, cleaning and working. And it continued to grow.  I finally got the mammogram scheduled.  Within a week, I had a colonoscopy and a mammogram.  The news from the colonoscopy came first clean bill of health! And a sigh of relief.  The next day I got the call to come back for a biopsy for the lump in my right breast. 

Things started to proceed quickly.  A needle biopsy, a diagnosis of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, CAT scans, Echo cardiograms, meetings with a team of doctors oncologist, surgeon, and radiologist who would be instrumental in my treatment plan, scheduling the biopsy procedure.  During this whole time, my attitude was I beat if before I can do this again. 

My diagnosis after the biopsy was Stage 3. The cancer has invaded some of my lymph nodes and they were removed.  After a couple of recuperation days, I was back at work.  Then chemo started.  They warned me that my hair would come out between the 2nd and 3rd week after treatments began.  I said “are you sure”, as my hair thinned out during my previous treatments, but I still had hair.  They were right.  On day 18 hair began to fall out and on day 20, I told my husband to get the clippers the hair was going to have to go.  I wished we had video-taped the scene it was quite funny.  My daughter got out the shop vac and as my husband ran the clippers through my hair, my daughter was trying to catch the hair before it hit the ground!  We had a good time of it and I had a bald head.  I had some wigs to try on and I gave it a whirl, but they were hot (even in March), itchy, and uncomfortable.  I wore a wig to church that Sunday, then one to work the next day.  For some having hair is a big part of who they are and I respect that, but for me, I am all about ease and comfort.  I thought about hats and scarves, but my head was not built for those either with or without hair!  So Tuesday I went to work with a bald head and an attitude of openness.  I had not realized how many men in our office shaved their heads- I felt that I fit right in!