Here is Lisa's story:
I have always had lumpy breasts. Fibroid cysts is what they called them. I had a total of three removed, starting at age 16. Over the years I had a couple of them drained. They were never anything to worry about. When I was 51 I went in for a mammogram. I hadn't had one in a couple of years so it was time. A couple of weeks later they finally got a hold of me, they wanted to do an ultra sound and another mammogram. Two weeks after that they wanted to do a biopsy. At this point I was not worried, they had told me it could be scar tissue from the cysts I had had removed. Another two weeks went by now they wanted to do a Stereotactic breast biopsy. I was really very naïve at this point, having breast cancer was so far from my thought process.Finally I had an appointment with my primary doctor to tell me what they had found. My only thought while I waited to be called in was 'If they made me pay $25 to tell me they found nothing I was going to be pissed'. Well I didn't have to be pissed, there was something there. As I sat there listening to my doctor tell me I had Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Stage 0, I thought 'I've got to remember this cause my Mom will ask me what the doctor said'.
My options were to do a lumpectomy and have radiation or a mastectomy and no radiation. This was a no brainer for me, they can have my breast I didn't need it for anything anymore. Luckily I am not a big chested woman. I also chose not to have reconstructive surgery. I have been cancer free for four years now and look forward to the day when I won't have to take tamoxifen anymore. I never had a desire to have a tattoo but when I saw what P.ink was doing I thought I would like to have my scar covered up. I sent in my application and waited. I am so excited for the opportunity and to have something meaningful on my chest instead of a scar.
I thank God every day for blessing me with early detection and faith that has seen me thru the last four years.
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