I made it to 65 but now have Breast Cancer

Happy 65th Birthday you have the big C...I am very familiar with Cancer. My boyfriend from 1978 had Penis cancer and passed away in his 30's; another boyfriend died of Melanoma before the age of 50.

My Sister passed away in five months of lung cancer in 1995 and my poor Mother passed away of liver cancer in 2004 at the age of 81. The most amazing person with Ovarian cancer survived for 10 years was my best friend who passed away in 2011. Well now after a breast cancer scare in 2000 and endometrial cancer in 2015, I was told I had breast cancer called IDC after a mammogram showed cancer cells in the ducts of my left breast. I had the biopsy right away to make sure this would be caught fast.

We all have visions of living a healthy, wealthy and carefree life with a wonderful retirement at 65.
Well my 65th birthday was a series of Women's College Hospital appointments for Pre-operation,
starting on April 13th and a Rapid Genetic Test for BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes for newly diagnosed breast cancer women with Jewish decent. If I tested positive for either of these genes I would have to have both breasts and ovaries removed and my sisters would be told as well. I did find out I was part Ashkenazi Jewish/ Russian/Polish on my Jewish Father's side of the family and British/ Irish/Polish on my Mother's side. The same Jewish genes as Albert Einstein. I always knew my Father was a genius. There was no cancer on my Father's side and no Breast Cancer on my Mother's side.

On Thursday, April 20th I had an MRI at 8:30 in the morning and this was the most uncomfortable procedure ever with breasts hanging down and ear phones on to block out the banging of this machine, also I had metallic pins in my hair and this could have caused big damage to me and the machine.

I missed my Pre-admission at 9:00 am because I was not told it was on the 8th floor, got home and the nurses were on the phone asking me where I was. I was there!

On Monday April 24th, the race was on. Breast Imaging with Ultra Sound and special procedure and Tuesday at 1:30pm was the Pre-Admission finally where they explained all the ways of blocking the pain with injections and filling out more forms. A fire alarm went off at 2:00 pm, my next appointment was at 2:30 and I was able to go to get my Nuclear injection in the breast so they could take pictures of my body in another machine. I could light up the dark with my breasts.

On the morning of my Breast Cancer operation, I was told not to drink after 7:00 am and I drank the last of my pineapple juice at 6:30 am...when I got to the hospital at 8:00 am. I was told I had pineapple juice with pulp and my 11:00 am operation would be moved to 2:00 pm. There I was with a backless nightgown and paper slippers in the waiting room until my MRI and wires into the breast procedure.
What is it about bad nurses that cause pain and seem to love it? I was marked up like I was having plastic surgery all over my left boob with 2 wires hanging out where the tumour was.

I did have my cell phone and at 10:00 am I received a call saying that I tested normal for the Rapid BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes. Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, annually affecting more the one million women worldwide. Identifying women who carry mutation in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes is important for cancer prevention of breast, ovarian, fallopian tube and pancreatic cancer. I was relieved for myself and my family that my results were negative or normal.

So the time had come for my operation and block injection and when I was all wired up, I had to pee.
I had never used a bedpan before and it was like peeing the bed. I think I made it all in the bedpan as the nurse said," Yes you really did have to go!" I was rolled into the operating room and the oxygen went over my face." Where would I like to be right now asked the nurse. Scotland I moaned."
I was in my happy place until I woke up at 5:30 pm in the recovery room. My throat was sour from the breathing tube that had been down my throat and I felt no pain as I was on pain killers.

My son Josh had been waiting for me all day and had a sunburn from waiting outside in the sunshine.

The Women's College Hospital is now only a clinic and closes at 7:00 pm and I was the last patient to be rolled out that Wednesday in a wheelchair.
I was glad it was over and must go back for a post-operative appointment on May 15th. I will find out if I am cancer free or not.

There are risk factors that we can't change, such as family history, genetics, being a women and getting older.  You are either lucky or unlucky in my opinion. Maintain a healthier body weight, eat well, be active, quit smoking, learn about harmful chemicals at home and at work, and learn about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy. Living well helps reduce the risk.

Never think you are fine and don't need to be tested annually for a mammogram because that is where cancer rears it's ugly head when you least expect it. Get the tests needed for peace of mind, it could save your life.