Embracing Every Day
By Mimi Y.
On a chilly fall day, October 30, 2020, I had my annual mammogram; something I have been doing for the last thirty-five years. The difference this time was that 2020 was a year of COVID, so I waited in the car alone until my appointment time. My walk into the center was a lonely one; the seats in the waiting room were empty, the warm, cozy blankets gone.
It felt ominous. Since it was the season of COVID, there was no waiting to learn the outcome after my mammogram was done. I was sent home to receive the results either by phone or, as had happened in years past, to await the arrival of a letter in the mail saying, in effect, “you are clear, we’ll see you next year.”
But half an hour later, I received a call: “Mimi, your mammogram showed some changes since your last one. We need you to come back November 5th for another mammogram and possibly an ultrasound and biopsy.” I could feel my whole body getting hot and my heart pounding. What could that mean? My husband encouraged me to stay positive and reminded me it could be nothing to worry about.
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 64 years old. She had a mastectomy in 1986 and at that time, chemo and radiation weren’t available to her. That memory was heavy on my mind. Still, I tried to stay positive and hopeful, deciding not to say anything to my three children and their spouses; I would wait. I had my second appointment on November 5th and underwent a mammogram, then an ultrasound, and finally a biopsy. I was told I would get a call with the results the next day, which was a Friday.
I spent that day caring for my grandchildren, keeping myself occupied by games and crafts. I was overwhelmed and fearful, and worked hard all day to keep it together. The call finally came; I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, or IDC. At that point, it became reality: I had breast cancer. I jumped on the rollercoaster of multiple appointments, surgery, radiation and the challenge of sharing my diagnosis with my family and friends. IDC with lymph node involvement, estrogen and progesterone receptor positive, and HER2 negative* was the final diagnosis. My life would turn upside down, and COVID added to the stress. My kids were being very cautious, so I could no longer care for my grandchildren for fear I might get COVID, which in turn, might interrupt testing or treatment.
One of the first calls I made was to the Breast Cancer Coalition. I was so grateful for the support, the wisdom, and the compassion I received. Ali Dennison was my first contact, and soon I started taking classes, all virtual: Mindfulness & Meditation, Yoga, and QiGong, as well as educational programs and seminars. These became my saving grace; a road map to surviving my breast cancer. The staff at the Coalition truly helped me to move forward with hope!
Family and friends came into our lives and blessed us with loving kindness. They filled our sadness with joy, our fear with courage, our loneliness with friendship. Their cards filled us with inspiration. Delicious meals kept us fed when we had no energy for simple daily tasks. Their friendly visits filled our lonely anxious moments with hope. Their prayers draped us in comfort, helping us to remember how loved we were.
Simply said, it all helped me to remember to be grateful and hopeful. I knew that even while facing cancer at Christmas time during COVID, I was never alone.
~
*The presence or absence of these three common indicators – estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 (human epidermal growth factor 2) – can help patients and their health care providers understand an individual breast cancer diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.
Mimi’s story appeared in the Voices of the Ribbon, Spring 2022 edition.
Embracing Every Day
By Mimi Y.
On a chilly fall day, October 30, 2020, I had my annual mammogram; something I have been doing for the last thirty-five years. The difference this time was that 2020 was a year of COVID, so I waited in the car alone until my appointment time. My walk into the center was a lonely one; the seats in the waiting room were empty, the warm, cozy blankets gone.
It felt ominous. Since it was the season of COVID, there was no waiting to learn the outcome after my mammogram was done. I was sent home to receive the results either by phone or, as had happened in years past, to await the arrival of a letter in the mail saying, in effect, “you are clear, we’ll see you next year.”
But half an hour later, I received a call: “Mimi, your mammogram showed some changes since your last one. We need you to come back November 5th for another mammogram and possibly an ultrasound and biopsy.” I could feel my whole body getting hot and my heart pounding. What could that mean? My husband encouraged me to stay positive and reminded me it could be nothing to worry about.
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 64 years old. She had a mastectomy in 1986 and at that time, chemo and radiation weren’t available to her. That memory was heavy on my mind. Still, I tried to stay positive and hopeful, deciding not to say anything to my three children and their spouses; I would wait. I had my second appointment on November 5th and underwent a mammogram, then an ultrasound, and finally a biopsy. I was told I would get a call with the results the next day, which was a Friday.
I spent that day caring for my grandchildren, keeping myself occupied by games and crafts. I was overwhelmed and fearful, and worked hard all day to keep it together. The call finally came; I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, or IDC. At that point, it became reality: I had breast cancer. I jumped on the rollercoaster of multiple appointments, surgery, radiation and the challenge of sharing my diagnosis with my family and friends. IDC with lymph node involvement, estrogen and progesterone receptor positive, and HER2 negative* was the final diagnosis. My life would turn upside down, and COVID added to the stress. My kids were being very cautious, so I could no longer care for my grandchildren for fear I might get COVID, which in turn, might interrupt testing or treatment.
One of the first calls I made was to the Breast Cancer Coalition. I was so grateful for the support, the wisdom, and the compassion I received. Ali Dennison was my first contact, and soon I started taking classes, all virtual: Mindfulness & Meditation, Yoga, and QiGong, as well as educational programs and seminars. These became my saving grace; a road map to surviving my breast cancer. The staff at the Coalition truly helped me to move forward with hope!
Family and friends came into our lives and blessed us with loving kindness. They filled our sadness with joy, our fear with courage, our loneliness with friendship. Their cards filled us with inspiration. Delicious meals kept us fed when we had no energy for simple daily tasks. Their friendly visits filled our lonely anxious moments with hope. Their prayers draped us in comfort, helping us to remember how loved we were.
Simply said, it all helped me to remember to be grateful and hopeful. I knew that even while facing cancer at Christmas time during COVID, I was never alone.
~
*The presence or absence of these three common indicators – estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 (human epidermal growth factor 2) – can help patients and their health care providers understand an individual breast cancer diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.
Mimi’s story appeared in the Voices of the Ribbon, Spring 2022 edition.
