Tell us about your diagnosis
In January of 2012, during my annual routine mammogram at age 70, three small spots were detected and a biopsy determined early stage cancerous growth. I am living testimony that early detection saves lives.
What was your first thought when diagnosed?
Wow! I was surprised and shocked.
Tell us about your journey
Due to family history — my mother and an older sister both died of breast cancer at advanced ages — as well as personal awareness raised by regional Think Pink campaigns in Shasta County, I often spoke with clients at my beauty parlor where I worked as a licensed professional cosmetologist. I knew the importance of taking care of my own health and often heard from my clients about their own health issues, including several with breast cancer. I shared my own diagnosis and before my radical mastectomy, I decided to sell my salon and retire. For the first time in my life, I decided to take care of my own health and affairs first. Always before, I placed the needs and health of others in my family and circle of friends ahead of my own needs.
What is your most vivid memory of your cancer journey?
Shortly after my mastectomy, I suffered a problem with a drainage port and a large hematoma (fluid buildup) occurred in my right armpit. Neither the cancer surgeon nor the plastic surgeon wanted to take responsibility and neither was available for emergency treatment during a long weekend. Today, I still suffer the after-effects following drainage of more than 800 cc’s of fluid from the hematoma. Bras no longer fit properly on that side, causing me discomfort and pain to this day.
What would you share with someone else who is on this journey?
Be courageous and remain positive! Be proactive and valiant in advocating for yourself and personal health. When things need to be addressed or taken care of, so to it that it gets done correctly.
Additional Information
Since November 2021, I have battled an unrelated form of cancer diagnosed as multiple myeloma throughout my entire body. Because of this, I often tell people I literally died and was reborn. In other words, I have been to Hell and back. I survived by the Grace of God and my many prayers, along with the countless prayers of members of my family, my church family and many friends. My Christian faith and my belief in God helped me receive a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant later in life than most doctors might recommend. The doctors, nurses and staff at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) were wonderful, supportive and caring. I found out the most difficult thing was being forced to give up my many community, civic and military veteran advocacy projects due to the compromise of my body’s immune system. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, I endured 3+ years of home confinement.