I found the lump on October 15, 2005, the morning of a 12-mile training walk in preparation for walking the 2005 Seattle Marathon. It was Saturday, so I could not even call for an appointment until Monday.
By Monday, I had contracted the flu my husband had had the prior week. I was finally able to see my GP on Tuesday. I had a mammogram, and then saw a surgeon at 5:30 pm for an ultrasound and core needle biopsy. Even though there was no history of breast cancer in my family, my surgeon seemed to know, even before she had the pathology report, that it was cancer. She called me the next day and confirmed the biopsy. We scheduled an appointment for the following Monday at 7:30 am to discuss what would happen next. She provided information for me to read, which I found completely overwhelming, but it gave me something to do while I waited for my next appointment.
My surgeon explained that I would need a lumpectomy and sentinel node dissection, but could also opt for a mastectomy. If I had a lumpectomy, she told me, I would need chemotherapy and radiation. My first question was whether I would be able to walk the marathon—it was 4 1/2 weeks away, and I had been training since July. She told me that I could not wait until after the marathon to have the lump removed. But she could do the surgery in four days, which meant I might be well enough to walk.
I walked— all 26.2 miles.
I completed chemotherapy treatment on June 6, 2006, with relatively few problems. I believe I was destined to train for the marathon just so I would be strong enough for treatment. (I have rheumatoid arthritis and am not always well enough to exercise consistently.)
My tumor was Stage I but particularly aggressive, doubling in size every three months. It was not sensitive to hormones, so there is no long-term follow-up hormone therapy. In September 2006, I walked 60 miles in 3 days for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Philanthropic Trust for Breast Cancer Research. I raised over $4,000 and was thrilled to complete all 60 miles. In August 2007, I will be walking 60 miles in Boston for the same cause.
I live day to day, to the fullest, but always wondering if it will come back—and when. I am thankful for the wonderful support of my family and friends. My healthcare providers were the best I have ever known.
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