For about 30 years, I’ve been covering Breast Cancer Awareness Month for the Orange Community.
A Short History of Orange’s Pink Ribbon ceremony
For many years, as recently as 2018, the town had a nice ceremony honoring those who survived breast cancer (one year, it even included a gentleman – Yes, men DO get breast cancer). It started with a treasured resident, Anita Pol who fastened pink ribbons with safety pins on each, to a wreath that was hung on the front door of Town Hall. Anyone who wanted to take one was welcome to remove it from the wreath and pin it to his or her clothing as a way of recognizing the patients who lived through their ordeal, and those who passed away.
The ceremony took on a new life when town employees Tammy Trantales and Karen Goldberg began finding survivors who were willing to share their experience and put a face to the disease. The honorees offered a well thought out speech and were presented with flowers at the conclusion of the event.
With each passing year, the ceremony attracted larger crowds, even though it took place in the early afternoon.
Sadly, the ceremony faded away as it became difficult to find survivors who were willing to speak in public about their own unique story. Tammy and Karen both retired and this lovely event is just a memory now.
Everyone’s Experience is Different
Breast Cancer is not a cookie cutter affliction. I’ve known women (I don’t personally have any male friends who’ve suffered from it.) who were unfortunate enough to have had metastatic breast cancer, where the disease spread to the lymph nodes and other organs. Women who had mastectomies, went through radiation and chemotherapy, and lost their hair.
There are 4 stages of breast cancer according to the American Cancer Society: The earliest stage breast cancers are stage 0 (carcinoma in situ). It then ranges from stage I (1) through IV (4).
As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more. And within a stage, an earlier letter (ex A or B) means a lower stage. Although each person’s cancer experience is unique, cancers with similar stages tend to have a similar outlook and are often treated in much the same way.
No matter what stage you have, the experience also is much the same, at least in the beginning. The fear and uncertainty are things every patient suffers through as they wait for results, and going to appointments with several doctors before the answers are revealed.
One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Early detection is key. Self-examination and mammograms are vitally important. Never take your health for granted.
What You May Not Know — The Waiting Is Excruciating
On February 18 I found a lump during a self-exam. It seemed to be about the size of a ping-pong ball. Since I had a scheduled physical with my regular doctor on the 25th, I monitored the lump and had her check it out at that time.
The earliest mammogram appointment I could get was on March 27, which I thought was ridiculous, given that I knew there was a problem. To make things worse, my doctor had put in for a screening mammogram, which wasn’t what I needed. I took matters into my own hands and with the advice of my childhood friend, who was a mammography nurse before her retirement, I had the doctor order a diagnostic mammogram with ultrasound. The earliest appointment was on April 8 (7 weeks after I’d detected the lump).
After this appointment, I received a letter on April 12 stating mine was BI-RAD 5 (A possibly malignant tumor).
I knew that nothing was going to go fast with this process, so, once again, I advocated for myself and called Smilow Cancer Hospital and made them aware that I was in the process of getting some results, and Heather, one of the excellent, compassionate employees, told me that she had requested my health records, and would wait for my call after a biopsy to proceed, and then get me set up with the surgeon and oncologist I’d requested.
On April 22, accompanied by my daughter, I had the biopsy, and three days later, I was told that I had cancer.
Although she was getting all the results sent to her automatically, my general physician had dropped the ball. Through MyChart, (The report read that I was BI-RAD 6) and with my daughter’s help, and the sound advice of my childhood friend I already knew what I needed to do to move forward. I called Heather and made the appointments.
Two days later I met the surgeon, Dr. Zaneski, and he broke the “good” news, that I was Stage 1. Later that afternoon, I met the Oncologist, Dr. Kahn, to make plans with her. Five days later I met with the surgeon again to sign paperwork and he scheduled the surgery for May 20th (three months after I found the lump)
My daughter was a rock, she accompanied me to all of my appointments, met the doctors, took notes, and asked all of the important questions that I didn’t know I should ask. She stayed in the waiting room during my surgery and was kept abreast of everything they did – the lump and one lymph node were removed. Then I was supposed to take it easy until my follow-up visit with Dr. Zaneski on May 29. He cleared me to do my regular gardening and normal activities.
The next week I met with Dr. Kahn again, and we discussed the possible treatments -Chemo or radiation, or both, depending on the pathology results. The following day I met with Dr. Knowlton, a Radiation Oncologist, to go over the radiation process.
On June 13, nearly 4 months after the initial discovery, the results were in. Dr. Kahn called me from her cell phone to tell me personally that I had rated a 4 (very low and great news) and I would not have to receive chemo.
Knowing that I would have to go for radiation treatment, I looked into physical therapy opportunities. The person at one hospital, reputed to be a great resource (unaffiliated with Smilow) was so rude on the phone that I chose to work hard at home to improve my range of motion, etc that may be affected during the treatments.
On June 26, I had a CT Scan and did all the prep work for the radiation. The position I’d have to assume during the treatments was uncomfortable, but with the home exercises, my arms, neck and back became more flexible and I was ready to go.
I conjured up a couple of essential oil mixtures for the surgical scars and upcoming radiation burns, if I got them. In July I began the treatments. My ex-husband, Bob, came through and drove me to each and every radiation appointment staying calm in really horrific construction traffic every day. I am eternally grateful to him and my daughter for their dedication to driving me around during this adventure.
After my treatments were over, I was impressed to hear from Dr. Knowlton, who was checking in to ask how I was doing.
I had several follow-up appointments with the doctors on my Smilow team and will continue to see them for several years while I take estrogen blockers and receive regular mammograms.
I was one of the lucky ones, I found the lump early and took all of the appropriate actions, thanks to an awesome support group of friends and family. I made it through everything with few complications.
And In Conclusion
I only shared my diagnosis with a handful of people in Orange. My immediate family and 5 personal friends also were aware of what was going on this year, but I’m sure readers noticed a marked difference in the site since February. I slept a lot during those six months. As things settle down, it will improve from here.
What I’ve learned is that every woman, 40 and over – and some younger women, if there is breast cancer in your family history, should learn how to do self exams, and get mammograms. (They are NOT as bad as you may remember them to be.)
Find an awesome support group, either family and friends or a professional organization, and advocate for yourself – this is what saved me. I just wish everyone could have a positive outcome like mine, but as I stated earlier, Everyone’s experience is different. If you need someone to lean on, shoot me an e-mail and I will do whatever I can to help ease your fears and steer you in the right direction.
There are many excellent resources for cancer patients: Smilow is amazing;; Seymour Pink is a phenomenal local resource; and Susan B. Komen is a well-known research Organization.
NOTE: This may seem petty, but, although she received every update on my health my regular doctor never bothered to reach out during the entire process. (I found a new doctor who does care.)