I have cancer, but I will get through this. I will go through with the recommended procedures. I will trust in the doctor’s skill to remove this cancer from my body so I can get back on the track of being who I am. And so… that’s exactly what I did.
I have always enjoyed staying busy. At our retirement home on the Eastern Shore, I would spend time with my grandchildren, tend to my garden, do bike rides along the coast, hike with my daughter, and sail with my husband. I was active. But then, a seemingly routine mammogram began the toughest year of my life.
After an initial mammogram required a second look, I was scheduled to complete my mammography at a hospital an hour away. While there, I was reassured that dense breast tissue is often just calcification. Relieved, I left and started my long drive home. As I turned into my driveway almost an hour later, I received a called from the doctor. They had reviewed my scans and needed me to come back in for additional imaging.
Amid rush hour, I returned to the hospital. An ultrasound identified multiple suspicious spots in my breast, and the doctor reviewing my images immediately ordered biopsies. It was shortly after that when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was overwhelmed and unsure of the next steps. Unless you or someone you know has been through cancer treatment, the process of scheduling can be confusing.
I knew immediately that I wanted to be treated close to home. It’s stressful enough having cancer without also having to deal with traffic at rush hour. I contacted Virginia Cancer Specialists in Gainesville and found the staff there to be really supportive. They helped me schedule an appointment with my breast surgeon, Dr. Rosal. My husband and I chose the Woodbridge office location to start my journey through cancer treatment and Fair Oaks Hospital for the surgery.
We liked Dr. Rosal right away. She was very pleasant and down to earth, taking her time to discuss my diagnosis and explain my specific cancer while also absorbing and addressing our questions. We never felt rushed, and more than that, we felt comfortable with her style of care. Along with Dr. Rosal, her assistant took care of all the scheduling and helped me navigate the paperwork with patience and understanding.
It was determined that I would need a mastectomy to treat my breast cancer. I also had the option to get a double mastectomy to prevent the possibility of a future cancer diagnosis. After discussing it with my family and doing some research, I opted to get a double mastectomy. For these types of procedures, Dr. Rosal works alongside a plastic surgeon. I was able to meet with him that very week, and right away, my surgery was scheduled. After surgery Dr. Rosal referred me to an Oncologist in the Gainesville office.
In the middle of all of this, my family was experiencing tragedy on multiple fronts. My brother was diagnosed with liver cancer and sadly passed away. Two other family members faced life-threatening conditions, and I lost two dear friends, one to illness and the other to suicide. In the midst of my surgeries, I didn’t have the chance to truly process everything that had happened throughout the year. It wasn’t until I was alone, after surgery, when I had the chance to really think about the enormity of tragedy that had occurred in just one year.
Before my diagnosis, I feared the unknown, but while I was waiting on the second set of images, I felt that God was trying to prepare me for the battle ahead. I have strong faith, but I was still scared, worried that I’d never get to see my grandsons grow up. But then, a sense of peace came over me.
I have cancer, but I will get through this. I will go through with the recommended procedures. I will trust in the doctor’s skill to remove this cancer from my body so I can get back on the track of being who I am. And so… that’s exactly what I did.
For those currently embarking on this journey, it’s important to have someone close to you, or a professional, who is comfortable talking about your condition and what it looks like. Even once surgery is behind you, and you’re living cancer free, you will still have moments of unease, but there are resources available, including social workers and patient support groups. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and advocate for what you need.
More than that, I want people to remember that everyone’s cancer journey is unique. Even if you have lost a loved one to cancer, it doesn’t mean you will have the same experience. As we are all uniquely made, our cancers are also unique.
