In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month - by Laurie Mazzarella
In 1994, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. I share the next two posts as part of the journey through breast cancer and the passage of time. One story was written eighteen months after diagnosis and the other is current, more than 20 years after diagnosis. I publish these posts as an act of service to anyone who is going through breast cancer or has a friend or relative that is. Cancer is a scary diagnosis. Hopefully, these articles and other survivor stories will ease the sting. We have been there and hope to be a little bit of the light on your path through it.
I have posted the following as the article appeared in the New Mexico Breast Cancer Coalition’s newsletter in 1995. The second article on my current view will be posted in the next few days.
Woman Tells Personal Story
The following story was written by Laurie Mazzarella. Laurie
is a volunteer in the YMCA of Albuquerque’s ENCOREplus program.
The ENCOREplus program provides support to women
during all stages of breast cancer detection and treatment.
Breast cancer does not run in my family. I had been doing regular breast self-examination for years. When I noticed a solid mass in my right breast that felt different, I was concerned. I made an appointment with my gynecologist to have it checked. She suggested getting a biopsy and sent me to a surgeon who made the diagnosis of breast cancer.
As I was told my diagnosis, I could hardly comprehend it. I felt numb and unable to respond. As I left the doctor’s office, I made my way to the lobby of the medical building. I phoned a friend from one of the pay phones there. That’s when I broke down and cried as I told her about the cancer. I listened to my friend’s encouraging words as I doubled up sobbing. She suggested that I begin a fact finding mission, so I could make wise decisions about my future. I did not want to do anything. I did not feel capable. However, I knew that she was right. I needed to start gathering information.
Over the next few days, I read all that I could find on breast cancer and surgical options for my type of cancer. Fortunately, it had been detected early enough that the tumor was still small, so a lumpectomy was a viable option. I chose to do this breast conserving surgery. For the next couple of weeks as I waited for surgery, I walked around in a fog. I continued to read whatever I could on breast cancer, but I felt like I was in someone else’s bad dream. This couldn’t be happening to me. I was too young, I had too many other things to do. I felt alone.
One of my doctors suggested that I call a group of women who had had breast cancer and were now helping others who had just been diagnosed with the disease. Hesitant to reach out, but not able to deal with feeling so alone, I called them one day. I am glad I did. Reaching out put me in contact with a number of women who had been through cancer treatment and surgery. The fear started to subside as others spoke to me about how they felt and how they coped through breast cancer. I didn’t feel as alone. Their stories and their prayers gave me hope.
Today, I look back and am grateful that I had been doing breast self-examination so regularly. My cancer was caught early and my prognosis is good. Although, I have cried many, many times over the past eighteen months through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I thank God I am alive. Life is truly a gift.
Recent Comments