Carol’s Breast Cancer Story: Her Journey and Finding WHATNEXT

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 25 years ago, when I was 51. I look forward to sharing my story, in hopes that doing so will be helpful to others here.

I found my tumor myself. It was in my left breast. Although I’m a big worrier, I wasn’t very worried about this lump, for some reason. I went to the radiologist to whom I’d gone for my mammograms for at least a decade. She felt the lump, took a mammogram and an ultrasound (but no biopsy), and said, “It’s nothing. Come back in a year.”

Very fortunately for me, her report went to the gynecologist I was then going to (I’d seen her recently for my annual checkup, and she’d not felt any lump when she did a breast exam). She called me after she received the radiologist’s report, and she said I should go to another radiologist, because cysts show up on ultrasound, and if my lump wasn’t showing up on the ultrasound, I needed to be checked further. 

I waited another month to go to a group radiology practice (my first radiologist was a solo practitioner). They saw that the lump was definitely “something,” not the nothing my first radiologist pronounced it to be. They sent me to a breast surgeon; she did a needle biopsy right in her office. Three hours later, her office called to say it was “suspicious.”

So, thanks to my very conscientious and alert gynecologist, I didn’t wait a year, as recommended by the first radiologist; because I didn’t wait, my breast cancer was caught early.

I had my treatment at MSKCC. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. My tumor was stage I, triple-positive, grades 2-3. 

My treatments were four infusions of Adriamycin and Cytoxan together every three weeks (no Herceptin, because back then, MSK was giving Herceptin to only stage IV breast cancer patients). And I didn’t need to take Taxol after I finished the A/C.

After chemo was over, I had 33 radiation treatments (one a day for five days for six weeks, plus three boosters). After that was done, I was on Tamoxifen for four and a half years and after that I was on Letrozole for five and a half years.

All through my chemo treatments and for months afterwards, I was attending the free breast cancer support groups MSC offered anyone who’d been diagnosed with a breast cancer (one didn’t have to be treated at MSK to join these weekly groups). I was in the non-metastatic group (MSK had a separate group for metastatic BC patients). The support group was run by two experienced social workers and was of inestimable help to me.

I also had the support of my partner, my brother, and my friends. My parents were dead by then, and I was and am glad they didn’t have to worry about my health.

I now go for an annual mammogram and a breast ultrasound. Until about seven years ago, I was getting a breast MRI annually instead of the ultrasound. So far, everything has been okay, though I still fear metastasis or another primary breast cancer. 

My emotional and daily life were, of course, affected greatly by my diagnosis and treatments. Initially, I was terrified and very sad (never angry, though). Once I met my (wonderful!) breast surgeon and my breast oncologist at MSK, my fear lessened significantly, mainly because I was stage I, albeit HER2+. However, I’m a high-anxiety and pessimistic person even at the best of times, and my anxiety has never failed me by not finally showing up. I was able to continue working at my part-time secretarial job and continue working in my studio and seeing friends, though I always felt queasy. Only twice did I vomit (both times outside 🤮). Never got mouth sores or brain fog; always had that metallic taste when I ate anything. I went bald at work (very lenient place) and once at Zabar’s. Only once did I feel fatigue during radiation. So, all in all, it was quite doable (but I hope I never again need cancer treatments). 

I discovered WhatNext some ten years ago, when Greg was head of it. Btw, my handle then was Carool. Through WN I met many people I liked, including a few I’m friends with, albeit only through email, texts, and even phone (rarely), because we all live far away from each other. And I loved being able to offer people support, encouragement, and information, through WN.

Any cancer diagnosis is terrifying. I so appreciate that cancer diagnoses are now out in the open, and there’s support everywhere. I was very sad when WhatNext withered after Greg died. And I’m very happy it’s back! I thank everyone who is responsible for its revival.

I wish everyone here health, fulfillment, and happiness.

– LovesCats (Carol)

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Last modified: September 3, 2024