Читать книгу Pink Ribbon Stories: A Celebration of Life - Tammy Miller - Страница 22

My breast cancer journey began in the Spring of 2007. It was during a routine gynecological appointment; the doctor found a large lump and requested further testing. I wasn’t alarmed due to my history of being cystic. A biopsy revealed that indeed, I did have cancer. My oncologist/surgeon did a lumpectomy on June 3, 2007. This was followed by radiation and an adjuvant therapy, (herceptin injections). This treatment was possible because I was diagnosed as having HER2+ breast cancer.

There are many varieties of cancer, HER2+ is very aggressive. I did some research and discovered the reason this cancer is called HER2+ is because there are two or more HER2 genes for every normal gene in my cells, an over expression. The HER2 gene is found in the DNA of a cell. The purpose of the HER2 gene is to help normal cells grow. HER2 protein is found on the surface of cancer cells, also referred to as a HER2 receptor. These HER2 tumors tend to grow and spread -more quickly than HER2- tumors. After radiation I began a series of herceptin injections. When I finished my herceptin treatments, I continued taking tamoxifen which I still take daily. During my treatment my doctor did try another medication. After blood tests were run, he found that I was peri-menopausal, not postmenopausal. In order for this drug to be successful, you must be postmenopausal. Back on tamoxifen I went. My theory for life being: “If I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have luck at all”. But truthfully, there were some rays of sunshine throughout this whole process. I didn’t lose my hair, met great doctors and nurses, I didn’t require a total mastectomy and I’m still here to tell my story.

Breast cancer was not my first experience with a life altering medical condition. Twenty-six years before breast cancer I had suffered a closed head injury. That trauma happened in the prime of my life. I was a recent graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, a newlywed, and I had recently secured a great job with a major oil company. I was all ready to begin a new chapter in my life. Instead, I was severely injured in a motor vehicle accident. Life has never been the same!

My major at Penn State was Human Development, specializing in Early Childhood. I ruled out teaching after I did a semester at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a Play Therapist. I worked in a toddler playroom on one of the floors of CHOP. It is funny, CHOP is located next door to The Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania, where I was being treated for a massive brain injury. I was comatose for about four months. Life is fickle. CHOP’S newsletter had a picture of me in the playroom working with a patient on cognitive skills as a Therapist. Who would have thought that I’d be fighting for my life three years later.

My practicum at CHOP was a deciding factor in a career switch to the business world. As a newlywed, I was trying to keep costs down. I downsized on my insurance cost and benefits. The changes were not effective until the Monday AFTER my horrific car accident. The accident happened with my husband and I sitting unrestrained in the back seat of a friends VW bug. The accident happened in Lancaster County. I went initially to Ephrata Hospital where my parents were told to come. A doctor told my Mom all she could do was pray for a miracle. I was immediately transferred to HUP. At this great hospital I was still in a sorry shape. In fact, I received “Last Rites” three different times. I received radiation in such high doses, and numerous tests, NO WONDER I HAVE CANCER.

Sometimes I have a hard time accepting the hand I’ve been dealt. I have a fused elbow, artificial hip, visual and cognitive impairments and to boot, I am now a cancer survivor. Because of my misfortune, it made me stronger than I ever thought I’d be.

I struggle on disability trying to pay everything. I feel my purpose for living is to resonate to breast cancer and traumatic brain injury patients to ‘NEVER GIVE UP’. As a disabled woman who lost everything, I’m still picking up the pieces; hoping for a better tomorrow...

Linda lives in Upper Darby, PA.