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 When my husband and I started selling breast products via Cactus Point in 1998, it was the result of the need and customer requests for online access to these products.
Over the years we have dealt with many customers going through breast cancer, from detection, to mastectomy, to the final cosmetic product or form that gave them the “look” of a woman again. It was sobering to say the least, and while we worked to understand and provide the best customer service we could, it wasn’t personally real.
So how did breast cancer become personal? August 1 of this year, I had gone in for a second picture of my left breast. It seems the routine mammogram taken in July had noted some small white “dots” of calcification that were of concern to the radiologist. I was called into the office following that second picture and shown the results, notified that my gynecologist would be forwarded the information that very day, and that he would be recommending a surgeon for me.
Wow! Talk about reality! My husband was in the waiting room and all I could say was, “I’ve got trouble.”
Over the next few days, a visit with a surgeon was scheduled. We agreed on an outpatient biopsy within one week. Suddenly, we were dealing with the possibility of breast cancer. On August 7th, the needle biopsy was taken and we held our breaths for another week until we learned the results. Those little white “dots” were indeed a form of breast cancer: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We were in shock. This couldn’t be happening to me, could it?
Once again, we met with the surgeon. I am one of the very lucky women where my breast cancer was caught in the early, non-invasive stage. The surgeon explained the procedure, again outpatient, and we scheduled a date. Prior to the surgery, he had us meet with a Radiation Oncologist at the Cancer Care Institute. That is an experience I will never forget: walking into the Cancer Center as a patient. It is quite overwhelming.
My breast conservation surgery (isn’t this a great name for lumpectomy?) was preformed on August 29. My surgeon, I was told, was one of the top 3 technical breast surgeons in the area, and he did a marvelous job. I was astonished as I healed over the next month, that while a golf-ball + size mass had been removed from the breast, it was all filling back in. As a small-breasted woman, this had been of concern to me.
After a month of healing time, I received a follow up mammogram, which showed all areas of concern had indeed been removed. From there I returned to the Cancer Care Institute, where my treatment had been agreed upon as daily radiation, five days per week, for six weeks. I began those treatments October 8. From the very beginning, I followed the instructions and used daily lotion, switched to non-metallic deodorant, and wore special bras. Incidentally, I used the Bra Soft Silhouette found on our website. They are wonderful – no under wire, gentle and smooth, and they fit a little lower under the breast, which gives the radiation area a wide margin.
By the fourth week of treatment my skin was getting sunburned and itchy, and as I prepare for my last treatment day (today, November 18), I have two small open sores. They advise that my recovery time will be 3 weeks to 6 months, and that some permanent tanning will occur on the treated area.
All in all, my story is much less dramatic than many of the women we work with. However as you know, when it’s you and your body, it takes on a life of its own. My husband was with me every step of the way. My family and friends have been very supportive. Many times it just hasn’t seemed real.
My story ends well. I have only a 5% chance in my life time (I’m 49 years old) of reoccurring problems. While my follow up care will include visits to the Radiation Oncologist and semi-annual mammograms for at least 2 years, I feel well on the road to a normal life. I inform family and friends that from age 40 an annual mammogram is a must. There was no lump. My cancer was found through a routine mammogram.
And so I’ll end as I started: breast cancer has become a very personal issue.
Written by Amy B
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