In September of 2002, I found out that I had a lump in my right Breast. Therefore, I underwent an ultrasound guided core biopsy, revealing infiltrating duct carcinoma.
I also had a Lumpectomy in October of 2002, followed by six (6) cycles of TAC Chemotherapy; they started in November of 2002, and finished in February of 2003. I received thirty-five (35) adjuvant radiation treatments; they started in April and finished up in May of 2003.
When I was almost through with my radiation treatment, I found out that I had a mild case of Lymphedema. I had some physical therapy on my arm for that.
I will explain in the book in more detail, what I experienced, how I felt, and how I was able to deal with being diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
I thought about writing a book called, “The Lost Year of My Life”, while I was in recovery. I wanted to inform everyone to what goes on after Surgery, with the Chemotherapy, Radiation and all the many tests that you have as a result of being diagnosed with breast cancer, and how I felt about it.
I hope this will help anyone that is going through cancer now, or anyone who may have a family member or friend that may be diagnosed with some form of cancer.
To give them hope to see that they can get better by believing in the will of God and having faith in their doctors and doing what they tell you, even though there are days that you don’t feel you can make it another day.
I have included some information that I think will be helpful to all concerned. The Daily Meditations helped me and I think they will help you too. I have also added a page with information to where you can get help for Cancer; it has the telephone number and web site, if they have one.
Thanks/Introduction
I want to thank all the people that helped me during My Lost Year of My Life.
I can’t begin to name all, but I want to thank my family and friends (there were many of them), for their support and help.
A special thanks to my husband Bill, who had to endure the most.
Thank you for caring for me and taking me to the doctors and making sure I had something to eat and drank, and just being there for me.
Thank you for all the prayers (from friends, and their friends and family), cards (there were a lot of them), and the telephone calls, (on days when I was feeling really down and very sick). They meant so much to me and I will never forget.
I want to make a special thanks to my niece, Lynn, for being so caring and thoughtful. She was always extra special sending me cards, special little gifts every now and then, and all the telephone calls.
My neighborhood friends were really great. They would fix lunch or dinner on many occasions and bring it to us. They would also offer to take me to the doctor or anywhere I needed to go.
Last, but not least, I would like to thank my team of doctors. There was the Radiologist - Dr. Gerald Otteni, PCP doctor - Dr Christopher Snyder, Surgeon - Dr Richard Ozment, Oncology/Hematologist - Dr James Wall, Radiation Oncology - Dr Scott Lankford and all the many nurses and other patient care people that helped in my health care and recovery.
Again I want to say thanks for all the help and support given to me.
I want to thank God for being with me and all the health care professionals that took care of me. God was watching out for us, and giving me the strength to go on and the wisdom and knowledge to the doctors to take care of me.