Ruth

[Mary]

Hi Everyone, My name is Ruth and I'm 57 yrs. old. My routine mammogram in July 2000 showed several calicifications in my right breast. My Dr. decided that it looked suspicious enough that he should do a surgical biopsy, in lieu of a needle biopsy, which he did on Aug 5th. The result, of course was BC. Did a lumpectomy two weeks later w/sentinal node mapping. The nodes were negative, Thank God...but, the margins were not clear, so two weeks after that, another surgery.....by this time, I felt like a zombie from both the anesthesia and the shock of it all. I still remember the sinking feeling when the surgeon told me that the margins were still not clear and I needed to have a mastectomy. On October 5th I had the mastectomy and Tram Flap reconstruction. As you all know, it was a very rough surgery. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I had it all done NOW....but, maybe it would have been easier on me mentally if I'd waited awhile to have the reconstruction, but that's history, as my husband is fond of saying. After the surgery I developed Necrosis, or tissue death. Consequently, I spent the next 5 1/2 months changing bandages three times a day and wound-up with super bad scar tissue and holes along the incision line. I guess I was pretty depressed during this period....really feeling sorry for myself. Due to a mix-up at the hospital, I was never offered support of any kind and that's what I really needed during that time. Friends and family were very supportive, but it's difficult to understand unless you've been there. Then I found you guys and you have all made all the difference in the world. You've made me feel soooo much better about myself and this whole experience. I'm sooooo greatful for finding you all. I had another, and hopefully, my last surgery on March 27, 2001 to correct the scar tissue and had an implant in the left breast to make it the same and the right. I lucked out and didn't need Chemo, according to my Oncologist. I worry about that sometimes. I'm taking Tamoxifen (next five years) and that's my story.......Long wasn't it? I'm looking forward to meeting and talking to all of you.

Updated: 3/30/2001
Nickname: Grinny44
Hobbies: Line Dancing, Reading, Movies, Walking and now LIFE!!