The Journey

Four months ago today, on October 1st, I sat in a dark room with my friend, who also happens to be my radiologist at the breast center I have gone to for the past few years. She had just finished reading my diagnostic mammogram, and had the great misfortune on that day of having to tell me that I would need a biopsy, because my mammogram showed some calcifications that looked suspicious. Upon further pressing by me, she told me that she suspected that I had something called "ductal carcinoma in situ," or early breast cancer. Her suspicions were confirmed the following week after my biopsy on October 7th.

One month later, on November 1st, I laid on a table in the Saint Thomas surgical prep area while my amazing surgeon, Jeanne Ballinger, did her best to assure me that my lumpectomy would go well, and that my lymph nodes would be clear. I was scared. The surgery went well, however, and indeed, the next day, Dr. Ballinger was able to confirm that the surgery had been successful, and that the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes.

This morning, I sat in a well-lit room at the Dan Rudy Cancer Center with my radiation oncologist, Paul Rosenblatt. I had just received my thirty-third and final radiation treatment, and Dr. Rosenblatt and I talked about what the future would hold for me. I told him how much I appreciated his skill and compassion, and thanked him and his staff with a cake that said "33 Down, O To Go. Thanks Y'all!!"

The last four months of my life have been, in many ways, dominated by breast cancer. While the hardest part of the journey appears to be behind me, the journey is by no means over. I'll have follow-up visits and frequent mammograms. And as much as I historically have disliked going to the doctor, I am taking some comfort in the fact that I'll be followed by so many doctors. If anything comes up in the future, we'll presumably find it early, and nip it right in the bud. I have great doctors. I am blessed.

My hope is that this blog will provide hope and encouragement to other women diagnosed with breast cancer, and persuade friends and family to take care of themselves and to stay on top of their healthcare. Please, if you're reading this blog, go for your annual mammograms. Check your breasts monthly. Go see a doctor if something doesn't seem right. As Elizabeth Edwards reportedly told women in the years between her diagnosis and her death, the cancer is either there or it isn't; the only thing that having a mammogram changes is your options. Catching cancer early can make all of the difference in a woman's prognosis. While cancer can certainly be scary, it also can be a very manageable disease, particularly if detected early.

So you may be wondering what will happen to my blog now that I've finished my treatment. I certainly will keep writing, but perhaps not as frequently as I have been. Who knows, maybe in the aftermath of my treatment, I'll have more to say about cancer and its' impact on my life. On the other hand, maybe I'll move on with my life and not write much more. We'll just have to see. One thing is certain though: I've loved writing this blog and sharing my journey with you, my readers.

A huge and heartfelt thanks to each of you who have read my blog and followed my journey. I am extremely grateful for the support and encouragement you've provided to me along the way.

Erin