Breast Cancer, now what?

Breast Cancer, now what?

Annual screening is something I am very serious about. Having watched my dad go through cancer and chemotherapy scared me as he was a fit and strong man when he was diagnosed; by the time he passed away he was skin and bones.

The gynaecologist visits annually are compulsory as well as the mammograms and scans.

I started having mammograms 10 years ago at Wedderburn and Maxwell in Umhlanga.

On the 30th of August 2023 I called to book my Mammogram and scan, my options were to come in the same day or end of October. So, I opted to go the same day.

On leaving the medical centre I waved goodbye, thanked the staff and said I would see them again next year.

Little did I know! The next day they called me to advise that they wanted me to have a biopsy done as there was a lump they saw in the scan they were not happy with.

6th of September 2023 – my biopsy

7th of September 2023 – I received a call from my GPs rooms asking me to see my doctor in 30 minutes; I knew something was wrong. My GP explained that I have breast cancer and then I think I went into shock. It was 2pm when I returned to my home not too sure what I should do now. I had at that point been in a relationship with Kevin who sadly lost his wife to breast cancer a few years back. I waited until the evening, went to Kevin’s house, and told him of the outcome of the biopsy. He was devasted and hoped I wouldn’t have to go through Chemo. Considering what he had been through in the past I said I wouldn’t be upset or angry if he didn’t want or couldn’t go through this trauma again and that he could leave me, no hard feelings; but he didn’t and he has been my pillar of strength throughout this terrible journey.

14th of September 2023 - Kevin and I met my Oncologist at the Hopelands Cancer Centre, Dr Luci Jooste. She explained all the tests I was going to have to have done to determine precise information on my cancer. This was a terrible time as I couldn’t tell anyone of my diagnosis as I didn’t want to worry my 82-year-old mother who was so far away, nor did I want to tell my children until I had an indication as to how much longer I had to live. It was terrifying, I didn’t know what procedure they were going to perform, what treatment I would have to have, how it would affect me or if I was ever going to see my family again.

Next up: the testing phase