During the month of October we are sharing stories from women whose lives and experiences have been shaped by a breast cancer diagnosis. We hope these stories will help provide comfort and courage to others whose lives have been touched by cancer.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2011 at Sarah Bush Lincoln. Thank God I was always faithful about getting my yearly mammograms because that is how I found out.

I had also had yearly breast exams but they didn’t feel a lump. They asked me to come back and have a repeat mammogram. I still didn’t think that much about it because my mammograms always have been OK, but they found something and wanted me to have an ultrasound. When nothing showed up, they had me do an MRI of the breast and that’s when it showed up.

I was devastated finding out I had cancer. It was the worst feeling. I felt helpless and alone. I felt like a different person and I just wanted to feel like myself again. After more testing and talking with doctors, I decided to have a lumpectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation.

I had the lumpectomy on 11-11-11. That was an easy date to remember and I wanted it to be good luck. My surgeon, Dr. Kellie Jones-Monahan, took out two lymph nodes and tested one, which turned out to be positive. One of my lump nodes burst and I still worry about that. I started my chemo a few days before Christmas. I didn’t want to feel bad at Christmas but I knew I needed to get started on the treatments. I had four rounds of chemo – one every three weeks. I did get really tired and nauseated for a few days, but the pills helped. The nurses in the Cancer Center were wonderful and made me feel safe and comfortable. Dr. Jagarlamudi and Dr. Shakir were great. The worst part about the chemo was losing my hair. I felt ugly and didn’t want anyone to see me like that, but I got some new wigs and felt better.

I did have a lot of support from friends and family. I knew if I ever needed anything I just needed to ask. I tried not to be a burden on anyone. I was told I was handling it very well, but I didn’t feel like I was. I think I was hiding a lot of the pain and sorrow because I didn’t want them to worry about me.

I knew I had to get well for my family. I love them so much. I am so proud of my boys and their wives and my three grandkids. My sisters were a blessing to me, and a big help. My mom was in a nursing home and I wanted to keep this from her but I knew I couldn’t. She needed to know why I couldn’t go see her as much while I was going through chemo. My friend Rosemary was such a good support and was so helpful in so many ways. My friend Paula helped by taking me to chemo and bringing me food. I had other people bring food and it was such a big help.

I started radiation in April of 2012 and had 33 treatments – five days week. The radiation techs were also wonderful. Doug had a way of making me feel special. They made you laugh and that helped ease the tension.

Now, several years later, it has made me a stronger person. I appreciate each and every day I have here on earth and appreciate everything so much more. I just had my mammogram in September and it came back OK. I am so thankful to God and to the doctors. I am thankful for my family and friends and my fiancé. I appreciate anyone who helped me in any way at Sarah Bush Lincoln.