In 2015 at the age of 49, I went in for a routine mammogram. A biopsy was performed, and I was told that I had invasive ductal carcinoma (stage 2 breast cancer). This came as a big surprise as I had no family history, any identifiable lumps and because I always saw myself as a provider and not a patient.
My care team consisted of Dr. Richard Bold, Dr. Kendra Hutchinson and Dr. Jyoti Mayadev.
When I met with Dr. Bold he was going to perform my lumpectomy followed by a right axillary node dissection. I would go into my appointments and tell him about the statistics I read online. He would reassure me and always show me his coffee cup with the slogan “I didn’t get my medical degree on Google” which always made me laugh. That made me feel taken care of and at ease. When I experienced mental fog, it was comforting to know that I was in good hands, even if it was news that I didn’t want to hear.
After 16 rounds of chemotherapy with Dr. Hutchinson and six weeks of radiation therapy with Dr. Mayadev, I spent 2016 in recovery. During my treatment, Dr. Hutchinson was wonderful. On my last day of chemo I brought my teenagers to the appointment and Dr. Hutchinson connected with my sons instantly. She explained that I would get through it and be able to enjoy things again in the future.
I am now five years cancer free, working full time and feeling great.