10/28/2022
We couldn’t let breast cancer awareness month go by without spotlighting one of our amazing breast cancer survivors. Renee Dickson bravely shared her story with us, and we hope you take time to read it. We hope it resonates with you and encourages you to get your mammogram or do your self-breast exams!
“In March of 2021, I developed a sore spot on my left breast but brushed it off, thinking I was too young and all of my previous mammograms had been normal. I had always been told the spot being sore was a good sign as cancerous tumors usually aren't painful. I work in healthcare and the previous year had been grueling and left little time for self-care, so I was overdue for a check-up.
After a week , the spot was still tender and I saw what I thought was dimpling, a telltale sign of breast cancer. I scheduled an appointment with a new office (Southwell OB/GYN) and a new physician (Dr. Clifton). Everyone there was so kind and caring, they were able to do all the testing I needed that day and had me set up with the surgeon the next day.
Chasta was amazing, making sure she had all the images she needed. Checking and double checking with the radiologist to make sure everything was correct. She was so reassuring during it all. Everything from there was a whirlwind of doctor’s appointments and hospital visits to get everything set up. From my appointment in March till my surgery was 18 days. It left little time to process what was going on.
For a long time I didn't call it cancer. Somehow saying cancer out loud made it more real, made it scarier-it gave the monster a name. I only told those closest to me. I had two tumors in my left breast, both malignant. I needed to have a left total mastectomy. I got lucky and did not require radiation, and my scans showed the cancer was contained to the one breast and had not spread anywhere else, but one of my tumors had a high chance of recurrence so I did require chemotherapy.
After my first dose of chemo, my hair started thinning out and I got it cut short. It was the first time I cried about what cancer was taking from me, having already taken my security and my confidence in my health and body. After my second dose of chemo, it got worse. I was in the shower and couldn't get out. Every time I tried to rinse my hair, more of it kept coming out. I called out to my husband and that night, I shaved my head. What happened next amazed me, although it shouldn't.
That night and over the next few days all of my family and friends shaved their heads or colored their hair pink. That night I sobbed, first out of sadness and then out of love. Love for my amazing support group. I felt less alone, that's the night I truly realized I had never been alone. My family both born and chosen, were always there and made this journey less scary. I never lacked for support, someone was always available no matter what I needed.
I took my last dose of chemo in August of 2021. I continue with regular mammograms and check-ups with the oncologist and everything is going great. I read others' experiences with cancer through different eyes now. Cancer changes you. It takes some time. Time to find yourself again, time to become hopeful again. Time to heal, physically and emotionally. But it happens, in little things. Gradually you begin to think about the future again, not just the now.
My advice to women is this: please, I beg you to go for your regular check-ups, and if something doesn't feel right, call your physician and get seen. I would rather someone go be seen and find out that all is well than to wait and risk literally everything. Early detection is imperative. I don't like to think about what could've happened had I waited longer, what I would've faced or what the outcome would have been. Please, go see your doctor. Have your annual check-ups and screenings. It could mean the world to you.”
