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Your
world is turned upside down when you are diagnosed with
breast cancer. Initially, you may be faced with emotional
challenges, such as feelings of depression, frustration,
anger, sadness and isolation.
New Story Of Hope And
Encouragement (Imogene’s Story)
I am a two time breast cancer conqueror, first in 1960 when
I was 30 years old and then again in 1998 at age 68. My
story begins way back in 1960; I experienced the joyful
birth of my first and only child. Six month after his birth
I developed a lump in my right breast, which was found by my
husband. The concept of self-breast exams and mammograms
were not available at that time. I knew right away that
something was not right. I had a medical guide, which I had
purchased when I first got married. I looked up the section
on breasts and the author said there was a 1 in 100 chance
that it could be cancer. But the book also suggested if you
have a lump it should be checked out.
I went to see a doctor and back in those days, when you went
for the biopsy, you signed a consent form that if it was
cancer the doctor could take the breast off. The only way
you knew you had cancer is when you woke up, your breast was
gone. When they operated, they also took the breast, the
chest wall, the underarm muscles and the lymph nodes. The
lymph nodes were all clear and they they had caught the
cancer in the early stages.
I didn’t have any other treatment, but still was left with
the disfigurement of a radical mastectomy. It was difficult
for me to cope with having a new baby, cancer and a husband
who could not face any of this. I became confused and
depressed even to the point of suicide. I was hospitalized
and given medication and therapy which helped. My mother’s
attitude had always been pull yourself up by your bootstraps
and go on. I was able to do this and get back to my family.
I took one day at a time and have learned to live life to
the fullest. My marriage disintegrated and I decided I was
not going to let this breast cancer define my life. I was
going to live.
Music has always been a passion for me. As a young girl I
learned to play the viola and the piano. I even gave piano
lessons to younger children when I was in my teens. I have
always been inspired by music, and it is a great comfort to
me. I currently play professionally in a string trio and
enjoy playing at residential facilities, memorial services
and such.
In 1998, breast cancer came knocking on my door again. At
the age of 68, I developed a soft mass in the left (other)
breast. My mammogram was negative and I had discovered the
mass through self breast exam and physical examination by my
physician led me once again to the operating room. I
underwent a biopsy, but this time it was
my choice to take
the other breast with a simple mastectomy. The lymph nodes
again were clear and it was felt that the cancer was caught
at an early stage.
I am 75 years young now and life is better than it has ever
been. I am an independent woman living on my own. I have had
a loving relationship with a man who was not concerned that
I had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction. I am
inspired by music and enjoy playing to comfort others.
But most importantly, I am an advocate for breast cancer. I
have lobbied for breast cancer research dollars and
substantive breast cancer legislation. I have spoken to
newly diagnosed women, telling them of my experience and
helping regain their lives. But most of all I am my own best
advocate. I make the decisions about my health.
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