What is Tess Talking About...

…12 years of surviving cancer; diagnosed: March 21, 2000

Giddy from the thrill of recently getting engaged on Christmas Eve, I pushed aside the sensation of off and on pain in my left breast. “Life” distracted me but finally 3 months later in March the pain came on such that I couldn’t ignore it.  Palpating the area hoping to find nothing, I felt it.  I felt a lump.

Wanting assurance “it was nothing” I asked my husband to confirm that he didn’t feel a lump and it was my imagination.  Unfortunately he felt it as well. The next day I called my doctors office and was able to get in to see her quickly. She sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound that same day. The mammogram was negative and the ultrasound showed something more than a simple cyst. The Radiologist assured me it was not cancer and was probably a fibroadenoma.  Feeling more reassured, I went on to work. 

Sharing the outcome with my boss, an orthopedic surgeon, he was not as assured as I was. He called the breast surgeon in the hospital and scheduled an appointment for that Friday.  A core biopsy and a fine needle aspiration procedure was completed that Friday. The following Tuesday I received a call from the breast surgeon.  Reluctant to tell me over the phone he stated, it was in fact “cancer”. All I wanted as soon as possible was for it to be removed.  Yes, it was cancer but it was also painful.  My surgery was scheduled for the Thursday of that week.

With the lump removed the path report stated the surgery didn't have totally clean margins.  Another surgery for a wider excision with lymph node dissection was scheduled two weeks later on April 4th, 2000. My nodes were all negative but I was only 41 and it was an aggressive cancer, hormone receptor negative.

I met with a medical oncologist.  I was certain I wouldn't need chemotherapy.  He highly recommended I receive 4 treatments of Adriamycin/Cytoxan, 3 weeks apart. I was planning be married on May 26th.  I did not want to be bald or wear a wig for my wedding so I told the doctor I wanted to wait to begin chemo after my wedding. 

The day after we got back from our honeymoon I began my first chemo treatment.  Anticipating my hair would fall out, I went ahead and cut my hair short. After each of the 4 treatments, spread 3 weeks apart, I became sicker with each one. (Tess on her daughter's back in photo to the left.)

After my last chemo treatment I threw a "I Survived My Chemo" party.  I then went on to receive 26 radiation treatments, Monday through Friday for 5 weeks and 1 day.

I am cancer free.

Darla asked me, “How have you used this experience and applied it to my life and others?” 

Many, many, ways.  Experiencing cancer gives HUGE doses of perspective.  Small stuff becomes smaller, more insignificant.  You definitely do not sweat the small stuff or get caught up in it.  Life instantly becomes precious and seems “shorter”.  I worked in Medical Oncology for 3 years which gave me ample opportunity to encourage newly diagnosed women. Even today as a massage therapist I still carry this perspective to walk out my life, encouraging others, giving them hope.  I am truly grateful to be alive.  God had reasons – some I know, some I may not know, to allow me to experience this disease, to be cured, to share with others.  I'm looking forward to getting older because I was given the blessing to be able to age. I just hope I do it gracefully!

Trust me, Tess, when I say this, “No one enjoys living life with as much passion as you do!  I am always encouraged by you.  Our daughter was encouraged through her recent cancer by your many visits and your endless encouragement.  You are truly a breath of fresh air!  I hope our patients see you differently now that they know what you are talking about!”

Love to you, Tess, for everything you did for Ariel,

Darla, Ariel, & Dr. Joseph