My battle with breast cancer began December 2007. I was diagnosed with Stage 2B Ductile Carcinoma. It is a day I will never forget hearing the words you “Have Cancer”. My life went into complete turmoil, everything happened so fast, I had to make decisions that were not easy but knew I had to do the best options possible to survive.
I was told I needed a mastectomy, then I was given the option of doing a double mastectomy. I choose the double mastectomy, I did not want to go through this again. After my surgery I had chemo, which included Herceptin for a year. I then went through radiation five days a week for six weeks, followed by reconstruction. When I finished chemo and radiation I was given the drug Tamoxifen for five years. I was just about to reach my five year mark of being cancer free, when my nightmare with cancer started again. I heard the words once again “You have Cancer”.
It was a Friday morning, I received a call from my doctor that my cancer markers had gone up. He told me not to be alarmed sometimes they can be thrown off and I would be tested again in two weeks. Two weeks of torture wondering if and where the cancer had spread to. I was re-tested again after two weeks, the cancer markers had gone higher. Now I had to go for a PET Scan, CT Scan and Bone Scan. I do not do well with waiting for results. The wait is like torture.
When all my tests were back, it was determined that the cancer had metastasized to my lungs. I had to have part of my left lung removed, the right one was going to be treated with medication. I thought my days of surgery were over. December 2012, I was told my ovaries would have to be removed the estrogen was causing the cancer to grow. Once again I was back in the operating room to have my ovaries removed.
When I heard I had cancer for the second time I was devastated, I thought this was it, how was I going to fight this again. I didn't know how I was going to do it but I knew because of my daughter’s I had to put my boxing gloves and began the fight of a lifetime once again. My husband and my children are my inspiration to get up every day and fight.
My daily routine is praying, eating the right foods, no processed foods, red meat or sugar. I eat lots of greens, drink green tea and water with lemon. I also started to go for Reiki when the cancer metasized in my lungs. I go to Kathleen Green, Reiki Master/Spiritual Healer. Before I started going to Reiki I didn't think I would get through this battle with cancer for a second time. Week after week Kathleen inspired me to keep fighting. The cancer society now recommends Reiki as a healing process. Reiki is a technique for reducing stress and relaxation to promote healing.
I started a group Long Island Breast Cancer in an effort for me to help other women. I try to get donations by selling breast cancer pins. So far we have given a few women free new wigs and I am now sending meals to women through Upper Crust Foods that are undergoing surgery or have just had surgery. I have a web page that I am still in the process of building, www.longislandbreastcancersupport.com and a Face Book Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/LongIslandBreastCancerSupport/ We try to educate women about early detection, self-awareness, nutrition, exercise, Reiki and meditation. The most important thing I can stress to women is make sure you do self-exams each month and get both a mammogram and sonogram every year. If you notice any changes or lumps see your doctor as soon as possible. If anyone is interested we will come to a group of four or more to give more information about early detection. It is also very important if you have teen age daughter’s to tell them about self-exams. Girls in their 20’s have been getting breast cancer.
My motto is “LOSING IS NOT AN OPTION”
