I’ve been asked to participate in Albie Aware’s Survivor of the Year 2014 campaign. I am one of five candidates, with a collective goal of raising $100,000.00 by May 15th 2014. Albie Aware serves the northern California region, and pays for mammograms, biopsies, insurance co-pays, prescriptions, etc. in addition to providing advocacy with relation to education and government representation. This non-profit was founded 10 years ago, by Doug Carson. Doug lost his wife, Albie, to breast cancer in 2002. Her death was not necessary, because she was not aware of all the available tests and treatments for breast cancer. Albie Aware helps women and men with breast cancer, right now. While research is absolutely necessary to further the success of combating breast cancer, treatments exist right now. To learn more about Albie Aware and to read the “cliff notes” version of my story, please visit the website at albieaware.org. For the full story, continue reading. Late, in 2012, I found a lump. It was in my right armpit, and I had no health insurance. Now what. Back in 1998, I had finally quit my toxic job and went to work full-time for my husband’s flooring business. We were “insurance poor” … we had home insurance, life insurance, business auto insurance, business liability insurance, workman’s comp insurance and bond insurance. But, leaving that job meant that I lost my health insurance. At the time, we felt that individual medical insurance policy premiums were too high, considering it a “luxury item”. So we decided to eat healthier, and set aside funds for any health issues that might arise. And, it worked. We were able to pay our bills, see both of our girls graduate from high school and contribute to the community in various ways. One of those ways was through Rotary. After serving six years as the Music Dept. Booster President of Elk Grove High School, joining Rotary was the perfect next step. It allowed me to participate in numerous community projects, working side-by-side with passionate and motivated individuals. It was in Rotary, that I met fellow member Karen Penfold. And later, how I learned about her journey with cancer. And, how I became aware of Albie Aware. So, towards the end of 2012, I couldn’t believe that I was actually going to email her, seeking guidance as to the most efficient way to investigate the cause of my lump. (This really wasn’t necessary. It’s nothing. And I was sounding the alarm for no reason.) But, what if? I was forty-eight years old and a wife, a mother of two beautiful girls and a grandmother of two beautiful girls. I was also a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece and a friend. I had a lot of people to answer to. I sent the email. When Karen responded almost immediately, I was anxious. (I really didn’t want to bother her.) But, I couldn’t turn back. So, I told her about the lump, and that I had limited resources to devote to it. And, that I did not want to be led down different paths for years, until something is determined, and perhaps by then, too late. I’ve heard those stories. I’ve lost people to cancer. I was not going to let this happen to me. Karen asked what I meant by “limited resources”. I responded that I had no health insurance, but had some money in savings. She reminded me of her presentation about Albie Aware, and that the organization was founded to help people who are in my situation. I responded that I own my own business and that I’m sure that I don’t qualify. And, it’s probably nothing. I don’t want to take resources away from someone else, who really needs them. Karen was compassionate, but firm. “If it’s nothing, then we will celebrate. That’s what we want. But, if it’s something, better to catch it now. When can I schedule your appointment?”
For various reasons, it wasn’t until four days before my 49th birthday in January of 2013, that Karen was able to wrangle me into getting my ultrasound and my very first - and very unnecessary- mammogram. Turned out, I was right. The lump was nothing but an enlarged blood vessel. However, the doctor pointed to two suspicious groupings in my left breast. And, he wanted them biopsied. Just to be safe. (What? I never felt any lumps. Maybe the mammogram wasn’t so unnecessary.) I shared this information with Karen, thanking her. And, that Frank and I will save up to have the biopsy. She advised that a biopsy could be costly, and “let’s see what the board can do”. The Albie Aware board approved paying for my biopsy. And, we scheduled it for Monday, March 4th. Well, the Friday before, on March 1st, my youngest daughter had a medical emergency. Her husband was out of town, for military training, she was alone with the girls and she needed my help. I called Karen, letting her know that I was going to Montana and didn’t know when I was coming back. “Please cancel my biopsy. I’ll call when I know more, to re-schedule”. I arrived in Montana Saturday, March 2nd. On Tuesday March 12th, I returned to California and had my biopsy. On Thursday March 21st, I was diagnosed with cancer – it was my youngest granddaughter’s 2nd birthday. Not having a primary care physician, Karen had come to my house to tell me, personally. And, she came with a plan. I was to call a certain doctor’s office - one of the many with whom Albie Aware has a relationship - and apply for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (B.C.C.T.P.). It’s a Medi-Cal program which provides uninsured individuals, who have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, 18 months of medical care. At no cost to the patient. Anticipating approval, Karen told me that my information had already been forwarded to the office of a highly-regarded surgeon, as well as to the Executive Director of Albie Aware, Cindy Love. (Wow. The balls were in play, and I just needed to keep up with them.) My initial diagnosis was ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), high grade, estrogen/progesterone receptive, stage 0. Not sure if the cancer had spread beyond the biopsy areas. Not sure if it was in the lymph nodes. Only surgery would answer those questions. Sitting across my kitchen table, seeing a two-time cancer survivor looking back at me, I wasn’t scared. In that moment, I turned it over to God, to the Universe. What will be, will be. It was my choice, as to how I was going to embrace however many moments were left to me. It was my choice, as to how to approach this experience and grow because of it. It was my choice, to model for my children, to continue to live joyfully within perceived adversity. That’s easy to say, when faced with stage 0. I didn’t know such a stage existed! But cancer, is cancer. It can do some funny things. So, I won’t lie. I was anxious and uncertain, too. By Tuesday, March 26th, at least a hundred phone calls had been made. I had been approved for the B.C.C.T.P. program and was sitting in the surgeon’s office. Surgery was scheduled for Monday April 8th. My head was swimming. There was a lot to coordinate - both personally and professionally - and I couldn’t have done it without the army of family, friends, fellow Rotarians and business associates. I was also feeling guilty about receiving Medi-cal benefits – the taxpayers’ money. But, my husband reminded me that we are taxpayers too. That we pay in to the system, and that the system is paying us back. (I am really grateful, for this program, I can assure you!)
After surgery, I received a call from my surgeon. Turns out, that there was no cancer in my lymph nodes, and no cancer in the tissue taken during surgery. The biopsy got it all! (I just won the life lottery.) My oncologist recommended radiation and tamoxifen. I weighed the pros and cons and, for me, I chose to do both. “Be aggressive” is what one of my friends said. (Her own breast cancer had metastasized to her bones just weeks before my own diagnosis. She is taking her last breaths, as I write this, this last day of 2013.) I completed 33 treatments of radiation on July 19th, and have been taking tamoxifen since August. I need to watch out for a host of symptoms, and continue to meet regularly with my doctors. I want to be clear. I never felt “sick”, and never considered myself to be. I had some misbehaving cells, which needed to go. And, to my granddaughters ages 4 and 2, who drove from Montana with their mommy to be with me … “Nonna had an owie”. Sitting at the computer, this New Year’s Eve, I am aware of my blessings. I am aware that each day is a gift. I am aware that in just four weeks – a year since the beginning of this journey - I can celebrate my 50th birthday cancer-free. I am aware that I can celebrate the upcoming birth of my grandson, in March. Albie Aware blessed me with early detection, and Albie Aware saved my life.
