Breast Cancer As I Lived It
By Mary Scanlon
Acknowledgements
This true story was written by Mary Scanlon, a former student at
Somerville Community Adult Learning Experiences (S.C.A.L.E.) in
Joyce Ralph’s class. It was adapted for students with limited English
literacy by Loren McGrail. Illustrations are by Rosa Aimée González.
It was created in collaboration with the Massachusetts Cancer
Education and Literacy Initiative Curriculum Sourcebook, funded by
the National Cancer Institute.
We wish to thank Mary Scanlon for allowing us to adapt her story so
that it may reach an audience beyond the classroom. We also wish to
thank the Central Resource Center and the System for Adult Basic
Education Support (SABES) at World Education for the use of their
facilities and funds to publish this testimony of courage.
Waking Up
I can still recall very vividly waking up in the middle of the night and
having a pain in my left breast.
A Lump
I suddenly felt a lump as big as a quarter. It startled the life out of me.
Calling the Doctor
When I got up the next morning, I went to work as usual but I called
my doctor right away to tell my story.
The Mammogram
He said to come in and see him immediately. So I did. He examined
me and then ordered a mammogram.
A Tumor
My doctor called me at work a few days later. The mammogram was
read at one of the top hospitals in Boston. He told me I had a tumor.
Calling Dr. Susan Love
He urged me to call Dr. Susan Love. She supports lumpectomy. So I
called her.
Waiting…Waiting…
I was told I had to wait six months for an appointment. I called my
doctor back. He told me to call her associate. I did. I still had to wait a
few weeks for an appointment.
Biopsy
Those few weeks seemed like months. It was agonizing just waiting
all this time. The day finally came. She examined me. A few days
later she did a biopsy.
My Options
More days went by waiting for the results of the biopsy. She called
me with the results of the biopsy. She asked me to come in and talk
about my options. She wanted my husband to come in too. He did.
Anxious and Ignorant
I started to feel more and more anxious and ignorant. The doctor told
me it wasn’t good news but it was good that the cancer was found at
an early stage. She said the prognosis should be good.
The Choice
She told me I had a choice between a mastectomy or lumpectomy
with eight weeks of radiation therapy. She told me and my husband
the results would be the same for mastectomy or lumpectomy.
A Lumpectomy
Again there was a wait, this time for an operation time as an outpatient. Ten days later I had a lumpectomy.
Nine Positive Nodes
I was home recovering when my doctor called with more bad news. I
had nine positive nodes. She said I had to have four months of
chemotherapy! I hung up the phone and cried.
Another Appointment
My doctor made another appointment for me with an oncologist. She
was a sympathetic and delightful woman, but I was stressed out. I
had a lot of blood tests. The nurse set up a schedule for my
chemotherapy.
The Treatment
I had to go to the hospital four times a month. I drove myself each
time. I had some nausea after the treatment, but the worst was
feeling very, very tired. My body was weakened by those powerful
drugs. I didn’t have the energy I used to have. Everything was an
effort.
I Forced Myself…
Many days my tiredness was overwhelming. I forced myself each day
to get out of bed and go to work. I felt good that I could still contribute
to society.
Why Me?
I worked at not feeling sorry for myself. I did keep asking myself,
“Why me?” I had never smoked. I kept a good diet and I exercised.
Love, Medicine, and Miracles
Then I read a book called Love, Medicine, and Miracles
by Dr. Bernie Siegel. It was my story. He said women who get this
disease sometimes are women who worry too much about other
people. They don’t take care of themselves.
God, My Family, and Friends
I got through this time by being optimistic. The good Lord gave me
courage and strength. My friends and family helped and supported
me. One incredible friend cooked a fancy meal for me every time I
went for chemotherapy.
Help Other Women
I have most of my energy and strength back now. I always felt, deep
in my mind, that everything would work out fine. I would like to
somehow help other women cope with this dreaded disease. I
learned a lot from all these experiences. They taught me to open my
eyes and be thankful for each day.
I studied at the Somerville Community Adult Learning Experiences
(S.C.A.L.E.) for four months to get my GED. I am very proud of
achieving that goal. I am also very fortunate to have met Joyce
Ralph, who encouraged and guided me to attain this.
I feel wonderful, and now I’m studying to be a nurse. When I
graduate, please God, I will be able to help many people who are ill, if
I continue to get my health and strength. Every day that I get out of
bed and see the sun shine I’m happy.
My words of wisdom are: don’t ever quit. Life is too great.
-Mary Scanlon
Glossary
Lump: a hardness in your breast. May be small like a chickpea or
larger. (Most lumps are not cancer.)
Mammogram: a low-dose x-ray of the breast
Tumor: swollen or distorted part of body tissue
Lumpectomy: surgeon removes only the lump; this is followed by
radiation therapy to the chest.
Biopsy: when the doctor takes out part or all of the lump to see if it is
cancerous.
Options: choices
Cancer: abnormal growth of cells in the body.
Prognosis: to fortell something
Disease: sickness
Mastectomy: the surgeon removes the whole breast.
Operation: when a doctor opens up the body to fix a sickness or
problem inside. This sometimes means cutting off sick body parts or
sewing up parts that are open.
Out-patient: a patient who doesn’t stay at a hospital.
To recover: to get better
Nodes: points inside the body where blood cells fight sickness.
These can become lumpy or swollen when you are sick. (Also called
glands.)
Chemotherapy: radiation treatment
Oncologist: cancer specialist
Nausea: feeling sick to your stomach
Treatment: a substance or technique used in treating diseases.
Associate: someone who works with someone else.