Morton Plant Hospital Breast Cancer Journals . Journals

	I felt the lump on my birthday – and I just knew. Call it women's intuition. I just knew something was not right. I then had a mammogram, and a few days later it confirmed what I had feared – that I had breast cancer. My first thought was "Why me?" I had no history of breast cancer in my family and couldn't understand how I could get it. I was in a daze. But then I realized that I needed to approach beating this cancer as a job that I had to do. If you sit in the corner crying in your milk, it's not going to get you anywhere. You need to do what you need to do, deal with it and do the treatments required of you. And as the saying goes, "this too shall pass." I learned that I was stronger than I ever realized. I think you find that you can do things you never thought before in your life you could do. That should give hope to people who are afraid.

I had very aggressive treatment – surgery (a lumpectomy and lymph node removal), chemotherapy and then radiation. Everything was done at Morton Plant Hospital – including all my mammograms and follow up appointments. There were times during the process when I didn't feel like I was going to be alright, but I knew there was light at the end of the tunnel. And I realized that as I marked off every chemo treatment and each radiation treatment that there was light at the end of the tunnel, and yes, I would be alright – and I was alright. The people at Morton Plant Hospital were wonderful, extremely professional, caring and they just treat you like you are the only person there. I had a huge support group behind me at the hospital, too. I wouldn't go anywhere else. I would tell every woman – whether you have a history of breast cancer in your family or not – to do breast self-exams. Go see your doctor for regular checkups – and get a mammogram. Women have said to me that mammograms hurt. I tell them that breast cancer is a lot worse. Breast cancer is a diagnosis that does not mean the end of the world for you. I'm a living example of that. Live every day to the fullest. Sonja Six-year Cancer Patient and Survivor

	Three and a half years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. I was in shock when I got the diagnosis. I really felt that I was low risk. My mother didn’t have it. My sister didn’t have it. That was a great safety, security for me – and that just went out the window. I would tell other females that I really think that you are deceiving yourself in thinking it will not happen to you. It always happens to someone else. After my diagnosis, I found the best physicians I could find. I contacted various support groups. There’s a lot of information out there that’s available and I really was quite well educated about the different processes to breast cancer. I didn’t just sit back and let it roll over me. I went to Morton Plant – they have a fantastic reputation. I felt like they were a partner in this whole process. I had surgery there, a lumpectomy. I also had all of my MRIs, CT scans, all of my lab testings and X-rays done through Morton Plant and the Bardmoor Outpatient Center.

Breast cancer has affected me most directly by bringing peace into my life at this time. A friend of mine passed away from breast cancer about a year ago and she had a small poem sitting next to her bed. It said: “I’ve had a great life, I just wished I realized it sooner.” And I think that’s what breast cancer did for me. It made me realize I’ve had a great life and I’m going to have more great things, but it made me at peace for what I have NOW. The single thing that sustained me through my cancer experience was feeling that I don’t have to be surrounded by 5,000 people to be successful but I do think you need people around you that care about you, that value you and that you value back. And I found that when I was with the physicians and the staff of Morton Plant Hospital. I felt they gave me value. You need to get organized. You need to literally step up to the plate. You are an equal partner in this treatment process. The doctors have a role, the medical staff has a role, everybody’s got a role and so does the patient. And if the patient is the weak link, they’re going to have a more difficult time in this process. The more active role you take in your own treatment process, the more success you will have. You’ve got to take care of yourself. YOU step up to the plate. This is your body. Susie Four-year Cancer Patient and Survivor

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August, 2006 and actually got the phone call while I was sitting in my classroom, waiting for my students to come to class.

Hearing the news that you have cancer is terrifying. And the first thing that I thought about was my children, my girls. Who would raise them if I’m not here? And then, if I have breast cancer, will they get breast cancer?

My initial reaction was, well, at least it’s finally happened because I have a history of cancer in my family. And then when it happened, the only thing I wanted to know next was okay, how do I get rid of it.

The first procedure I had was a partial mastectomy. They removed the lump from my left breast and they also removed a few lymph nodes from underneath my left arm. I also had to have a second operation to remove all of the lymph nodes from my left underarm, followed by chemotherapy and radiation.

I learned that I had a tremendous amount of support from people who I didn’t even know really cared about me. My family, of course, but friends, neighbors, everybody came out of the woodwork to help me and my family.

My experience with Morton Plant was wonderful. The people were very supportive, very caring, although they didn’t know me from anybody else off the street. The lady who helped me register for my surgery must have seen the fear in my eyes, because she even touched my hand and told me “It’s going to be okay.” So that, right off the bat, just calmed me a bit more and let me know that, hey, everything is gonna be okay, I’m in good hands here. They treated me like family.

Morton Plant provides many different services to help breast cancer patients. One in particular, while I was going through chemotherapy, is the Look Good…, Feel Better program. It really helped boost my confidence and self esteem because it showed me how I can look good and feel good by putting on makeup, helping select the right wig and also meeting with other women going through the same thing. I realized I’m not alone and that there is support wherever I need it if I just call.

Having breast cancer has made me value my family more than ever. I have three daughters and I want to be around to see them grow up and have families and visit my grandchildren. So it’s just made me value those things. Everything else will fade away. Work can do without me. But my family, I really want to be here for them.

I would tell someone who is diagnosed with cancer, first of all, don’t give up, fight for your life because it is so worth it. But also, call on those people who love you, family, friends, seek out your doctors, do your research, but don’t try to do it all on your own because you will need help.

Now I don’t sweat the small stuff. I celebrate life and encourage everyone around me to celebrate life too.

Jeanene
Three-year Cancer Patient and Survivor