I plan to use this page to journal my story , create awareness, a to receive uplifting messages from my friends and family. And a bit of fundraising as possible. To show appreciation to all my supporters . I have decided decided to tell my story about my journey with breast cancer. On Sunday August 4,2014, I was getting ready to take a shower. I decided to do a self exam. I found something odd in my right breast. I called my husband to check to see if he felt the same thing I did. His response was to get a mammogram as soon as possible. Well, 9 months before this I had been given the orders to get the mammogram done. I put it off after all I could never get breast cancer. It doesn't even run in my family. Not me..... these thing done happen to me. After all I've been through with me family God could never be this cruel. Fast forward to August 4,2014 I found the orders and I promptly made an appointment that day with South Texas Radiology . I had a diagnostic mammogram where the mass was found. A biopsy was promptly ordered for the following day at another location. August 5,2014, I was laying on the exam table with my breast exposed scared. I had a million thoughts going thru my head. What would happen if I had cancer ? Was I going to dye. A tear began to fall. I was trying so hard to hold it together. I had so many questions and emotions. But I can remember feeling numb.I was trying to watch the monitor mainly because I don't like needles. I could see the mass. It appeared huge to me. But it actually measure 2.2 by 3. The Dr. took 4 slices of the tumor. I remember her saying."Your bleeding more than normal. Because it has a blood supply." I had read that tumors had there own blood supply this scared me. The biopsy was done on Wednesday and I had to wait till Aug -11th to get the results. This just happen to be my step-daughters birthday. what a birthday present. On August 11th I started calling the doctors office early. I ended up leaving from work early because of the anxiety became over whelming. Not knowing was killing me. My husband picked me up and on our way home the Dr. called and said." I dont want to make you wait anymore. April you have cancer." At that moment I my life was over. She gave me some surgeons numbers. I immediately made an appointment. I saw Dr. Kathy Grove on Aug. 13th. She is an awesome doctor. She broke down my cancer diagnosis. She explained our options and explained what I could expect for treatment. When I left I felt better. She explained that my cancer(Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma) is the most common. 1 in 8 people get breast cancer. I decided I would have a double mastectomy with breast reconstruction. August 19th- my birthday, I was at the plastic surgeons office. Happy Birthday to me. After this appointment I felt thing had stalled. My life was going in slow motion. I just wanted to get rid of my killer breasts. August 27th , I had a CT done to check the blood flow in my stomach. They put contract in my veins to see if the flow was good in my stomach because I have a scar on my belly from an open appendectomy. I went to the oncologist on September 2nd. Dr. Dham explained what would happen next. I have an all women team of doctors. I had the BRAC test taken to test for the breast cancer gene. Then I had to take a sick kid to the doctor. On September 3rd, I had another appointment at PRMA. The nurse went over my Pre-op information. I had to give them 1000.00 before they would schedule my surgery. This is not what frustrated me. I got completely caught off guard because they called at 4:30 the day before to tell me I had to pay 3480.00 my out of pocket before the surgery could be scheduled. I kindly explained that verily had gas money to get to the appointment. But they settled on 1000.00 and payments on the rest. I luckily have a step dad that was able to lend me the 1000.00. I felt aggravated because I did not elect to have surgery. It is a necessity. Not an elective procedure. It seems to me that its all about the almighty dollar these days and less about the health of the patient. But I do think I have a great bunch of Doctors to take care of me. My surgery is set for September 16th at North Central Baptist hospital. Thanks for listening. I will continue to tell my story. I believe it is important for others to know. Maybe someone reading my story can relate in someway. If it helps someone else out then I've succeeded. I will continue to promote breast cancer awareness. I also have come to the conclusion that God has given me this journey for a reason. Maybe I am supposed to help others not real sure.
