Cal-EZ Blog

I had a mastectomy on August 18, 2010, after chemotherapy. Because tumors in inflammatory breast cancer attach to, or grow on, the skin, a large portion of the breast was removed. In addition, 14 lymph nodes were removed and I had a latissimus dorsi flap procedure. In this procedure, an oval flap of skin, fat, muscle, and blood vessels from the upper back are used to reconstruct the breast. Once again, my family came to my assistance – staying with me to cook meals, take me to appointments, etc.

As I indicated in my last post, I was feeling alone and scared after the day of appointments for ER+ breast cancer. I was certain that I didn’t have a lot of time even after all my treatment. I prayed that God would give me the strength to cope. I have always hated even visiting people in the hospital because I always felt faint or queasy (sometimes both). I shared my diagnosis with my school colleagues. They were so supportive – prayers, offering to help with meals, and offering to help me in any way I needed with my class. One day a parent asked how I was doing. I told her I was okay but that I was worried because every time I started to pray, I thought about the cancer and was totally distracted by these thoughts. She told me I didn’t need to worry because so many people were praying for me. For the remainder of the school year - about six weeks, I felt a calm confidence that I could deal with this.

I discovered a small lump in my left breast on a Saturday at the end of March 2010. I was initially not too concerned because I had my annual mammogram only about 8 months earlier which was normal. Nonetheless, I called my gynecologist’s office Monday morning and was referred to a surgical practice that has doctors who specialize in women’s breast issues. I got an appointment the following Monday. The doctor examined me and did an ultrasound. He told me that I could potentially have an infection or possibly inflammatory breast cancer. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic and told me that I should come back that Friday. At that appointment, I had a biopsy and on the following Tuesday I learned that I did, in fact, have breast cancer.

Meet Betty, a new voice in our blog series. Betty is using this blog to take us on her jouney through breast cancer and her need for calcium.

I am an older woman who has never written a blog and who has only read one blog in the past. I never even considered the possibility of writing about myself. However, at the suggestion of a good friend, I’ve decided that what I have to say might be of interest to some.

Shortly after graduating from college, I started working for the U.S. Department of State in New York. I transferred to the headquarters office in Washington about three years later. I worked in the Bureau of Consular Affairs Office of Overseas Citizens Services which provides assistance to U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas. This includes non-emergency and emergency services.For example, helping people register the birth of a child abroad, issuing a passport, visiting Americans who have been arrested and making certain they have legal representation. The office was also responsible for advising Americans of potential threats to their safety and security overseas. The days were often long and could be stressful, but they were also rewarding because of the help we were giving.