My name is Melisa Wilson. I am 40 years old. I have been married to Joshua, my best friend, for the last 17 years of my life. We have a sweet 6-year-old son, who is our living miracle. Our son was born at just 23 weeks gestation at a ginger 1.4 lbs & 11 inches long. He stayed in the hospital for a little over 4 months. He came home with us weighing 6 lbs 6 oz. He has done remarkably well thanks to prayers, a lot of love, outstanding medical care, and very supportive family and friends.
We thought the drama of life was behind us, but on Saturday, February 16, 2014, my husband discovered a lump in my left breast. I thought it was likely a blocked or hardened milk duct. Despite having a premature child, I was able to produce ample breast milk, and it took a long time for my supply to dry up.
My husband insisted that I get checked out right away. So, on Monday, I called my OB/GYN, and they got me in that day. The doctor reassured me that it could indeed be a blocked duct, but wanted to get some test to be on the safe side. I work in healthcare, and I have to admit I was not expecting anything abnormal to show up on the tests.
A few days later I had a breast ultrasound and mammogram. I never had these tests before. Honestly, they weren’t bad. It was not the best feeling in the world to have my breast squished like a pancake for the mammogram, but it was a temporary discomfort. The ultrasound did not hurt at all. Upon completion of testing, I met the radiologist who greeted me and personally took a few extra pictures. As he completed the ultrasound, he recommended a breast biopsy. I still did not feel concerned. I had no significant family history of breast cancer, uterine cancer, or prostate cancer.
The biopsy was done a few days later, and the radiologist suggested I come back the next day for the results. I will always remember the technician saying, “Hum he usually does not have people come back in that fast.” The doctor also stated that no matter the results he would recommend I get the mass removed. Regardless of his statement I still felt confident my results were going to be normal.
The next day my husband and I went to see the radiologist, and I heard the dreaded words, “I am sorry Mrs. Wilson- you have breast cancer.” My son was all I could think about. I immediately cried and stated, “But my son is 2.” The doctor told me I needed to see an oncologist and a surgeon. I had a range of emotions, but I felt stunned above all and just wanted to wake up. I thought how could this be? I can’t have cancer. How could God give such as precious a gift as a son and then take me away from him?
From there everything moved quickly. I saw the oncologist in just 2 days. She had so much compassion and educated my husband and me about the various types of breast cancers. She explained that I was HER2-positive and estrogen and progesterone negative. While this an aggressive type of breast cancer, it is one that has targeted therapy, which meant that there are medications designed to kill cancer at the source. I will be honest while I heard her, I was still in shock and did not really absorb everything.
My husband spent time researching breast cancer treatment options and, in a day, he sounded like an expert. He asked all of the questions. I did not even know what to ask and did not really talk very much during the visit. I cried a lot though. I would advise anyone going through this to not go to your appointments alone especially not at first.