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Gizzy1

Joined: 04/23/2010
My Story:
I was dx'd with DCIS and invasive DCIS in April, 1997. It was Stage II due to the size of my tumor which was 4.2 cm. I underwent a mod radical mastectomy of the left breast and my lymph nodes were removed. Lymph nodes were clear, so the doc prescribed Tamoxifen. The oncologist I saw said that if I did chemo it would only change my chance of recurrence percentage from 15% to 13 or 14%. After much discussion with husband and family and many hours researching on the internet, I made the decision to not have the chemo.

That was 13 years ago this month. I have met others that did not do chemo and have also met some that questioned my decision saying I did not do everything I could to beat the breast cancer. Each person that deals with breast cancer is an individual and each cancer is individual and as such requires an individual approach in the way it is handled. If the doctor I had seen had told me to do chemo I would have. He told me I had to decide. 13 years later and still cancer free, I think it was a good decision. No one can know right when making a decision if it is a good one. Education of oneself about the situation is the key and when the decision is made there is life to be lived!!!

I am still with my wonderful husband, Jerry, after 31 years of marriage and our kids, Bryan 30, Lewis nearly 28, and Carrie 24 are all grown up. Jerry is trying to decide about retirement and I am so looking forward to that time. My life since breast cancer has been that - my life - full and 13 years and counting longer! I was on antidepressants for 11 of the last 13 years and only the last 2 did I get off of them. Over the last 2 years it has been a kind of awakening for me and finding who I am, who I want to be and what I want to do. I am painting again and I love it. I also work in the yard on the lawn tractor and also on the big Ford tractor doing the bushhogging on the place. I love that too. When I came to WebMD regularly before, most knew about me and my tractor and my overalls. I also had a convertible I got for my 5 yr cancer free present from Jerry. We still have that one, but it needs tons of work - just can't seem to part with it though. Jerry just bought me a 2006 Sebring convertible last year - 12 yr cancer free present. So I thought since the picture of me in the convertible shows me looking pretty free, I put it up here as my profile picture.

Going through the diagnosis and surgery and meds for breast cancer was not easy and as I never had reconstructive surgery, my scar reminds me every waking hour that I went through it and came out the other side. Now I keep vigilant watch of myself and any changes I see, as I know the only way to beat breast cancer is to catch it as early as possible.

My thoughts and prayers are forever and always with all of those whose life is touched by breast cancer. May God bless. And yes, God blesses those who have had breast cancer --- I have had it, but I am also so very blessed in this life.
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Thought I would stop in and say Hi! Yep, it's check up time for me again and of course WebMD...More
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