I am a 48-year-old female from Walker, LA. And have been with my husband for 25 years. He’s my rock, my everything. My entire world was turned upside down in February of this year. I had been treated for back pain for several months when suddenly I lost my vision and had slurred speech. I was rushed to the hospital where after “numerous” tests it was determined I had cancer all through my body. Stage four MBC to be exact. I had stage 0 breast cancer five years ago. I was in a coma and my family was told the only thing left to do was place me with hospice and “keep me comfortable”. Due to the seizure activity in the brain, they were pretty certain the breast cancer had metastasized to the brain. It showed in my breast, liver, lymph nodes and spine. After numerous tests including a spinal tap, it was determined by the most amazing oncologist on call that it had NOT gone to the brain but there was a tumor wrapped around my spinal cord very close to causing paralysis and radiation was suggested. I had twelve rounds once daily. I was in the hospital for several days and sent home to start chemo treatment weekly for three months. I am now on chemo treatments every three weeks and am having what the doctor called a “total response” after seeing the results of my last PET scan in September. I call it a miracle (thus my email address). This is the second time I have experienced a miraculous recovery from breast cancer. The doctor said she Never tells a stage four cancer patient they are cancer free or in remission due to the fact there are most likely small cancer cells not able to be detected by the scan but I am blown away by the picture and the report from the doctor that read the scan. For now, we are continuing the chemo treatment and not changing anything due to the great response!
My life has changed drastically. I was told at my job to stay home and get treatment, that I wasn’t needed. I have been surrounded by so many people that truly care about me. I have learned who my true friends and family are. I don’t waste time on petty stuff. If something makes me unhappy, it’s cut out of my life if possible. The fact is everyone dies. The only difference is my estimated time to die is printed in black and white. Believe me, that will change your life in about five seconds!! I now make sure everyone I love knows it and I don’t hesitate to make my feelings known. I am more outspoken than ever because you know, you only live life on this earth once. I also know there must be something God has planned for me to keep me here and save me from TWO bouts of breast cancer.
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