The following was first posted on my Facebook page: My Breast Life (March 1, 2019).
Perhaps it was premature on my part to invite people to like this page before writing a post? Oh well. Blogging is something I have wanted to do for some time now and yesterday just decided if people learn about it, I have to do it!
I have always found writing therapeutic. More importantly, the past year has been quite the journey and one I’ve decided is worth sharing. When I was going through different things at different times, I found amazing help and support from the writings of other women who had gone through what I was going through or about to go through. Little things like learning what a wedge pillow was before surgery, for example, was so useful to me. I received priceless support through pieces of information that only someone going through it can tell you. I strongly hope to do that for others ❤️
I recently signed up for a 5 day “build your own blog bootcamp” online. Participants were given a daily challenge each of the 5 days. One of the challenges was to come up with a name for your blog: I chose “My Breast Life” as a play on the words “My Best Life”. Another challenge was to own that name and space on a social media platform, and I chose to start with Facebook.
So this breast cancer journey started for me when I randomly discovered a lump in my left breast the evening of Wednesday, Nov 29, 2017. I had a moment of panic and turned to Dr. Google to learn not all lumps are cancerous and that many women have benign cysts. I decided that’s what I had: a benign cyst and didn’t need to drop what I was doing to get checked out. Exactly two weeks later, I made my way to the walk-in as I didn’t yet have a family Dr. I remember him being super polite, friendly and respectful as he examined me and also suggested it’s probably a benign cyst. There’s immense comfort in hearing a doctor tell you that. He scheduled an ultrasound and the results came back suggesting it’s most likely a benign cyst and recommending a biopsy to be prudent. All that said and done, I received a call from the walk-in Saturday Jan 27, 2018 advising me the results of the biopsy were in and to make sure I come that day as the Dr wants to see me. Ok. If I wasn’t feeling anything before, that comment made me believe they found something. On the drive to the clinic, a song I hadn’t heard before played on the radio and I heard the words “one foot in front of the other…”. I chuckled to myself and thought if this is the beginning of something then this song will be my theme song! “One Foot” by “Walk the Moon” sure did become the theme song, randomly playing on the radio and in public places at times when I felt like I needed a reminder to bring it back to “one foot in front of the other” and not get carried away.
I remember the Doctor walking in with a serious face, holding his laptop, telling me the results of the biopsy are in and they “aren’t good”. The report suggested “invasive mammary ductal carcinoma”. I learned later it was Triple Negative, minimum Stage 3 Breast Cancer. Apparently 15-20% of breast cancers are diagnosed as “triple negative”. I remember him apologizing and I was calm and kept saying “it’s ok”. I wanted to know what happens next. I remember him telling me to prepare myself for lots of chemo and lots of radiation. I had left my best friend Laura’s daughter’s birthday party and drove back after the appointment. I called my sisters from the parking lot and told them the news. I waited until the kids birthday party was over to tell Laura the news. I think it caught us all off guard and took time to grasp what was happening. That and all these people did an incredible job hiding their true feelings from me.
I was referred to the Surgeon who ordered numerous tests. I remember celebrating with my family at the Keg once all the tests were done.
I’ve included a picture from dinner that night. (Brother-in-Law Sumeet, sister Neelam, nephew Aryan and little sister Kavs)
My sister Anisha and Brother-in-Law Sheen couldn’t be there as they live out of town but they ordered a bottle of wine and sent it to our table! My baby girl saw this picture and was upset we went without her! She was at a sleepover with her Grandparents. I felt bad but not everyone can make everything.
I’ve also included a picture of me with my three sisters (Neelam, Anisha and Kavita) at a lunch date when Nish flew down Jaya’s bday weekend to be with us after we got my news.
You will see one of my beautiful daughter Jaya and her Nisha Massi when she surprised us that weekend.
Thank you for reading this far. Thank you for liking my page and showing your love and support with this! I will continue this story with another post and more pictures!
