What does one do when told that it is confirmed that you have breast cancer? I must say, I didn’t have a clue when I got the phone call.And I was alone. My husband was running an errand. I fought off my fear and thought about the people I knew that have been through this and picked up the phone making several calls. After talking to a former student, a former colleague, and a friend whom all had dealt with breast cancer, I had received very helpful information, references, and love and support. The colleague was just completing her year of treatments and surgeries. From the great advice, I determined the oncologist I wanted and made an appointment. This April to June 2022 was long and frightening for me after getting the initial news following a second mammogram requested by my physician, having the MRI biopsy and awaiting the results. During this waiting period, I met with my oncologist and she determined from the follow up mammogram that because it was ER/PR+, or estrogen/progesterone positive IN SITU, that I need only to undergo radiation on that area of the left breast. She explained that IN SITU means it is contained in one area of a milk duct and was stage 0 Grade 3 and not invasive, but Grade 3 grows fast and we’d meet very soon when the MRI biopsy was in from pathology. So I felt great relief and admiration for this US Army veteran oncologist and mom of three. But that relief was short lived.
