I was born in London, Ontario and grew up on a farm outside London, near Komoka, Ontario. My husband and I now live in a small town north of London. I am 61 years old and retired.

There is no history of breast cancer in my family. 

When I turned 50, I began the Ontario Breast Screening Program that recommends having a mammogram done every two years. Previous to that I had regular mammograms or physical exams starting at age 45 by a medical practitioner as part of my annual check-ups. As well, I did breast self-exams throughout my life. I never noticed anything abnormal when doing self-exams and neither did my medical practitioner.

It was on my regular mammogram in late November of 2008 that a small suspicious spot on the left side was found. A second mammogram was ordered to confirm the spot for mid-December, but due to a terrible snowstorm I had to reschedule it to January 14, 2009. The waiting between appointments was the hardest.

On January 14, the Doctor of Radiology read the mammogram and performed an ultrasound of the breast. A core biopsy was scheduled for the following week, January 21, at St. Joseph's Hospital. The results would take about a week. Waiting again!

My doctor called on Monday, January 26 and asked me to come in that same day because the results were back early. The biopsy confirmed that it was indeed cancer, but it was very small, a little over one centimetre - very good news. The type I had was undetermined, but it was oestrogen positive.

I was shocked.

But it had been detected early! Early detection is very important!

My family was as shocked as I was, but was very relieved that it had been found early. The support my husband, children and extended family gave me was extremely valuable.

An appointment was already scheduled for me to see the surgeon in three days, on Thursday, the 29th. The surgeon scheduled a bone scan and then surgery for February 20 at St. Joseph's Health Care in London. Waiting again!

The day surgery went very well. The tumour was removed and lymph node biopsy was performed. There were clear margins and there was no lymph node involvement. This was all very good news, but radiation would still be needed to make sure any stray cancer cells would be destroyed. An appointment was made for March 11 at the London Regional Cancer Centre to meet my oncologist. Radiation would start in 12 weeks, after my body had healed from the surgery. More waiting!

The waiting was the hardest, so we went on vacation.

Radiation started on April 15 at the Cancer Centre at London Health Sciences Centre. I went every day except Saturday and Sunday for 21 days until May 13. It took over my whole life.

Thank goodness for family and friends who went with me to appointments and offered emotional help and assistance when I needed it. I needed a lot. I became involved with Wellspring, which offers support to anyone with cancer or their caregivers. I found their programs very beneficial.

I was so lucky to have a group of Beta Sigma Phi sorority sisters who were there for me in every way. I had visits from other breast cancer survivors who shared their stories with me. I had a close friend who took me out for little trips when I needed to get out but didn't feel up to driving. My husband's understanding and my family's support were most important.  My faith was what helped me in alone times. The caring doctors and staff also gave me confidence that everything would be all right.

Today, I am doing really well now, almost back to normal.

In many ways, my life is much the same as it was before, but it will never be exactly the same. Once you walk through the door with the "Big C" on it you can never go back. You must always be vigilant and keep up with your breast self-exams and regular check-ups. I am now better informed about breast cancer and know more that I ever wanted to know. Now, I take time to smell the roses. I am optimistic that some day a cure will be found and that no other woman or man will have to hear "You have breast cancer."

The "Big Bully" needs a cure.

My advice to others who are facing this Big Bully, is to be informed so you feel more in control; take someone with you to all your tests and major appointments; be accepting of offers to help because you will need it; take the time you need to process all the information because it is overwhelming; feel free to express your emotions because it feels good to let it out; and do something for someone else because it will make you feel better.

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