Sisterhood of Survivorship
Sharing, Caring, Surviving
Terri G's Story
Year Diagnosed: 2005
Type of Cancer: breast
I was scheduled for a hysterectomy due to massive amounts of fibroid tumors in my uterus. I had a mammogram scheduled and almost cancelled it because it was the same afternoon of my pre-op for the surgery. I had the mammogram completed. After 2 sets of x-rays and 2 sonograms the doctor that read the results first told me that he saw a spot but didn't think it was cancer and to schedule another appointment in 6 months. This was on a Friday. On Monday I received a call and was told that the doctor changed the reading and he would like me to come in for a biopsy. I had six areas where there were lesions, too small to detect. The biopsy confirmed that it was cancer. I had a lumpectomy and lymph node dissection. A week later I was told that the cancer had spread and it was detected in the sentinel lymph node. Thank God I had a second opinion at a Cancer Institute. Their pathologists requested the tissue sample and changed the report. Cancer did not spread through my lymph nodes but it had spread through my breast. I had a left mastectomy. The cancer was only found in the milk ducts so I did not have to go through chemo and radiation. This was in November of 2005. I am 9 months cancer free and I plan to be around a long long time to see my daughter grow up and have a family of her own. Whatever you do, always get a second opinion.