Think Pinker

Breast cancer, we are all aware of it, and we all hope it never hits close to home, but what happens when it does? Do you know how you would handle it? What if it was your wife, your sister, your mother, your daughter….here’s a personal breast cancer journey from a friend, we’ll call her Jolee. 

It was during a regular self breast examination that Jolee thought she felt something different, a lump that wasn’t there before. She decided to ignore it for awhile and see what materialized, after all breast cancer wasn’t an option.

Another month, another breast self examination, the lump was still there. Now it was a visit to the doctor who confirmed something was a miss and that a biopsy was necessary. Emotions overtook Jolee – she was scared, angry, happy that she had found the lump, she didn’t know whether she should tell her family or wait. She decided to wait.

The biopsy was done, the results came back – Jolee did in fact have breast cancer. Now the emotions opened like a flood gate. Anger stirred deep in Jolee’s soul. Why her – she was not going to surcumb to this awful disease, she had a 3 year old son and a 14 month old daughter, a wonderful husband that she loved dearly. She was not going to die! 

But now she did have to tell her husband and her family. They were devastated but relieved that Jolee had been diagnosed. This was a family of positive thinkers so they would only believe that Jolee would be fine.

Jolee underwent a double mastectomy a month later. Yes the breast cancer had already spread into her second breast by the time her surgery took place. Jolee didn’t want to take any chances with a lumpectomy. She had a life and she wanted to live it. And she felt no less a woman without her breasts, besides she could have implants later if she wanted.

Five years have come and gone – Jolee’s children are getting big, her husband has taken a new job which has moved them to the other side of the country, and Jolee finds great pleasure in sharing her story with the world and working with the breast cancer society.

This is one woman’s story – one woman’s breast cancer journey. The message is strong – never give up!