How do I begin to share my story, eleven years after my diagnosis with stage 2 ductal carcinoma, HER-2 negative, my tumor was 6CM in my right breast? There was one lymph node that was nonmalignant.
I will never forget the morning that I received a call from my gynecologist asking if I had had a biopsy lately. My heart began to sink. It was approximately 7:45 AM as I was heading out the door to drop my granddaughter off at summer camp. He said I need you to come to my office immediately.
He shared that he had received my report from a biopsy that I had taken a month ago. He shared the results I recall getting teary-eyed and saying Well, I guess I will have to cancel pursuing my 2nd Master’s at the University of Rochester, and I was planning a trip. He immediately responded, saying, “No, you’re not cancelling anything”. He gently began to share the following steps, which were to meet with the oncologist for consultation. I must say I was very disappointed that it took so long to get my biopsy report. I thought that I was clear. To my knowledge, there was no history of Breast Cancer in my family.
I immediately called my sister Shirley as I sat in my car crying to tell her that I had cancer. She responded, “ok, so what are you crying for”, we’ll get through this,just pray? At the time, I was working at Wilmot Cancer Center, where I headed after receiving my news. Within an hour, my sister Joyce and my niece Jennifer arrived at my office to offer support and comfort.
Within a few weeks, I met with the Oncologist for a consultation, sharing my options. I had a partial mastectomy and 10 weeks of radiation. I opted for the Prone radiation therapy, which, as I recall, was a new therapy. I was face down, which limited the radiation from spreading to other areas.
During my daily Monday through Friday preparation in the locker room, preparing for my treatment, I met so many wonderful women. I felt like God placed me there to be of comfort to them as they had a variety of diagnoses and situations to deal with.
After going through my surgery and treatment, I reflected on what could have been a very different outcome. I was thankful and vowed to share my testimony with other women whenever the chance was presented.
I was fortunate to work in the Cancer Center, where I led several support groups for Cancer Patients, survivors, and caretakers. I was very connected to the many Cancer Resources that were available. The Cancer Coalition was one of the organizations that I participated in, with their “Brown Bag Lunch Series.” In addition to their evening presentations, I had the opportunity to connect with other women and oncologists, learning coping mechanisms that have been invaluable to me on my journey.
As, I now serve as a member of the BCCR Board, it is a way for me to give back and to empower other women, particularly black and brown women, on the journey to utilize resources and support that are available to help them emotionally and personally.
Learning to lean on others on the journey has helped me to embrace my whole self, including my asymmetrical girls. My new mantra was “I choose to dance” . I brought 10 pink pins of a lady dancing that was created by Louis’s daughter as my new signature and shared each with my closest friends and family. There is no shame. I am forever grateful.
Thank you.
September 2025
