Today is a massively important day for me. Five years ago today I underwent what I thought was going to be an elective mastectomy to avoid ever getting breast cancer (I have a deleterious BRCA-1 gene, the breast cancer gene). I woke to the news that I actually had cancer. Aggressive, triple negative breast cancer (there are many, many types of breast cancer--know the signs and symptoms, or if you have a genetic risk). Most BC patients are considered cured after they reach the ten year mark without recurrence. Although my BC type is far more aggressive than most types, the cured marker without recurrence is FIVE years. Today is five years! I am healthy, active, and participating in life in all the ways I wish to be. :-) My sons are growing into marvelous young men, and I am here to see it. My parents are here with me to watch them grow. I couldnt ask for more. I would like to thank my oncologist, Dr. James Sabiers, and his incredible staff at Dayton Physicians, LLC. The genetic counselors at Childrens Medical Center. Myriad Labs, the genetic testing center. My surgeon, Dr. Margaret Dunn, and her amazing nurses that held my hand through so much. Dr. R. Michael Johnson, my reconstruction surgeon. Miami Valley Hospital, and their terrific nursing staff--with a special thank you to Tammy Weaver Plyman, who cared for me the evening of my surgery. Dr. Sunita Redding, who got rid of other organs where the bad BRCA-1 gene would someday allow cancer to grow. My family physician, Dr. Annette Chavez, who supported and encouraged me and always gave me the best information and care. You ALL are the Miracle Workers, and I will be forever grateful for all you have done. I wish to thank my family and friends, especially my mother Catherine S Hopping-Dowell--who is also a survivor--for her strength and courage, and for being an inspiration to me. My Dad, who is the constant rock. My gorgeous sons, Charles Alexander Byrd and Robbie Fluffles Kramer. The Kramer family, the Dowells, the Hoppings, and all their extensions, who took great care of me and my family during the trying times. And my friends--you are too many in number to list here, and I am grateful for all of you, but I must extend a special thanks to Emily Lucking, who was with me almost everyday through everything I went through. Hadrian Clackmannan and Lukas Rossi, who loved me and supported me and gave me so many good days. And Sara Wallace, my amazing friend who, although in Chicago, called me nearly everyday and was my personal Cancer Navigator. I wouldnt have made it without each and everyone of you. I love you all!
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 18:56:11 +0000
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