In Her Own Words....Momma's Story

I wanted to give Momma a chance to share her story on my blog. A story of not just fighting cancer and winning, but a true testimony of reaching out and making a difference in the lives of others.  Through her struggle and pain she put all her faith in God and he provided!  God has truly blessed my family and given us all a serving heart.  Thank you Mom, for teaching me that it is more blessed to give than receive, not just in the good times, but in the bad times too.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

At the age of 29, I heard those words, "You have breast cancer."  My world seemed to be falling apart.  Breast cancer was not a disease that was known to be in my family.  I thought this was a disease for older women, not for younger ladies.  At that time, I was a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, a wife of 10 years, and had a beautiful five year old daughter.  Life was great and now i feared for my life.  I am a Christian and the fear was not of dying, but that of wanting to see my daughter grown up and to have more years with my husband.

I was working in home health PT when one day after work I found a lump in my left breast.  It was fluid filled and I could move it around.  For several days, I noticed the lump would go away during the night and would be back after I worked.  So, I thought I had pulled a muscle in lifting patients.  I called my Ob-Gyn and made an appointment.  I was still in child bearing years so the doctors thought it was an infection in my mammary glands.  After having the lump drained twice the decision was made to remove the collapsed cyst.  It was at that time the lump was tested to be benign, but underneath that area was more fluid-filled smaller cysts and underneath those was a single cyst that was malignant.  I had a fast growing enemy inside and if I had waited longer it would have spread throughout my body.  A left modified radical mastectomy was performed.  I did not have any lymph node involvement, so further treatment was not suggested.  I was blessed by my heavenly Father and led by Him to wonderful Doctors and with their help the right form of treatment was chosen.

A breast cancer survivor goes through many days of fear, being alone and the feeling of not being whole from the loss of her breast. In 1989, with the help of another breast cancer survivor, we organized and started the Woman to Woman Breast Cancer Support Organization. It was a place to talk with other survivors and to receive information about breast cancer.

It grew into a support group that continues today. Not only helping with my journey of breast cancer, but helping to reach, teach, and touch the lives of many other women on their journey through life during and after the diagnosis of breast cancer.

I am so thankful to God for so many blessings, 25 years cancer free, 35 years of marriage to my wonderful husband, Jeff, and living to see my beautiful daughter, Amy, grow up blessing me with a son-in-law, Scott, and two wonderful grandsons, Wesley and Graham.  The support of my parents and family has helped along this journey too.

It is very important for me to tell everyone I can the three import things to do:  breast self exams, visit your Doctor regularly, and get your mammogram regularly.  Life is short, I plan to follow God's will for my life, to love my family and friends, and to encourage others on their walk through breast cancer. 

"There is life after breast cancer."  ~ Debbie Sauls