Sharing My Breast Cancer Journey
My name is Julie. I am a 41 year old single mom of an amazing high school freshman son. I work as a registered nurse in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and absolutely love my job caring for the tiniest and most vulnerable patients and their families.
I turned 40 in March of 2016 and had been carrying around a prescription for my first screening mammogram (it was free on my insurance if you did it after you turned 40) for a couple of months. But, I was getting ready to change jobs and go back to the NICU unit I loved. Since I did not have any history or concerns for breast cancer, I decided to wait and get my mammogram after my insurance changed and I was seeing my regular OBGYN again. Fast forward to December, 2016 when I went for that first routine mammogram. No lumps, no rashes, no tenderness…..no concerns….just a routine first-timer. As a matter of fact, the tech told me not to be surprised if I got a call back for more images because they wouldn’t have anything to compare to and a lot of first timers get called back. So, when I received a call a few days later and they scheduled me for the following month, I wasn’t at all concerned.
January 18, 2017 was the day. As soon as the tech started only taking images of the left breast I got a little nervous. Next thing you know, I’m on a table getting an ultrasound. It was very surreal….the Eagles’ “Hotel California” playing overhead (I will always remember thinking what an odd song to be playing!) and I knew she was scanning and re-scanning my armpit looking at my lymph nodes. A few minutes later a radiologist is telling me how sorry he is and how “concerning” and “unusual” this is and how it “has to come out”! I made it out to my car and then I broke into tears.
It is terrifying! It’s the unknown. You don’t know for sure until the biopsy results, but suddenly it’s there….the possibility of cancer. I had a 3cm lesion, the size of a quarter, and once I knew it was there, I wanted it out! The waiting is scary and I’ve learned there is a great deal of waiting when it comes to cancer. Patients are always waiting for the diagnoses, the scan, the test, the surgery….the results.
My biopsy was two days later on a Friday. I received the diagnosis phone call from my OBGYN on Tuesday. I was at work and it was a busy day so there’s was no going home or stopping to cry. I pushed through the rest of the day in a kind of daze. My coworkers were amazing and I am continually blessed by their support, love, and prayers.
My breast cancer was thankfully caught very early…Stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS). I started researching and reading everything! My hospital has a Breast Center and a fantastic Breast Center Navigator program. My navigator was terrific and really helped guide me through the process. I met with her the day after my diagnosis call and had genetic testing done that same day. Within the next week, I was in the surgical oncologist office signing consent for surgery and meeting my plastic surgeon a couple of weeks later.
After research, talking with my doctors, and a lot of prayer, I opted for a Bilateral Skin-sparing Mastectomy with DIEP Flap Reconstruction. This was a fantastic choice for me and I do not regret it.
My surgery took place on March 6, 2017… my 41st birthday!! I woke up from surgery CANCER FREE….my lymph node biopsy was clear and the margins were clean! By using my own tissue for reconstruction, I woke up with full-sized new breasts that were warm and soft. My surgeon was able to reconnect some of the nerves as well, so I have full sensation in both breasts now! The recovery has gone fantastically and I was back to work with my tiny patients at 6 weeks. I will have a revision/nipple-building surgery in a couple of months and tattooing for color in the Fall. By the end of the year, procedures will be done.
This breast cancer journey has allowed me to learn things about myself that I might not have known. You find out a lot about how you handle the big stuff, who your supporters are, how you influence others, and that sometimes you (and your kid) have strength you didn’t realize. My son is hopefully going to have a greater appreciation for life, health, and for the women in his life because he has watched and walked with me through breast cancer. I also take every opportunity to tell women not to skip those mammograms!
I started a blog about my breast cancer experience (www.bosomthing.blogspot.com) and through it have been able to meet some other women just starting on this path. If my story can help them and others, then it is worth sharing every detail. I do not know why I was chosen to have breast cancer, but I do know that God can use me through it. So, I am here ready to share and help however I am able.
My advice to others is to do your research, know your options, and gather as much information as you are able. Do not settle for treatment, or a physician, or anything you are not sure about. Be your own advocate! If you don’t know, ask! Pray for peace with the decision making (and the waiting)… you WILL know when it’s right. Surround yourself with people who love you and support you. Get involved! Helping others is a great way to learn and grow (and even help yourself along the way). There is a whole community of us survivors out there living STRONG!
Julie, breast cancer survivor
Whether it’s about your diagnosis, your treatment, your recovery or someone you know affected by cancer, sharing your story can help others. We would love to hear from you. Submit your story here.
