|
Debbie Goff
Something, years ago, told me if anyone, among my mom, sister and me, was going to get breast cancer, it would be me. I think God was trying to prepare me for what I was about to go through. We don’t always listen to or see God’s helpful hints!
In May of 2003, I had played in Volley For A Cure and our pro was interested in bringing it to Summit Chase. She spoke to me about helping with the tournament. I told her I would be glad to help. In October of that year, I lost my oldest daughter at 16 in a car accident. It was a very publicized and painful time.
January of 2004, we had a meeting about Volley For A Cure and I “agreed” to co-chair the tournament. I believed that getting involved with such a wonderful charity and helping others would help me deal with the loss of my daughter. That May, we had a young lady, a survivor, speak at our Finale Luncheon. She told her story and mentioned that she had always thought she would be the one in her family to get breast cancer and she would get a bilateral mastectomy if she ever did get the disease. Wow, just like me! That night, I told my husband that if I ever did get breast cancer, I would get a bilateral mastectomy, period! He was very supportive and said that was something we would not have to worry about.
I had had a mammogram in February and the results came back normal. Now remember, this was in May. By the end of June, I felt a lump in my left breast. I had very lumpy breast from fibroid cysts. So, as I did anytime I felt a lump, I waited a week to see if it disappeared. It usually did. This one did not and it did feel a little bit different. So I made an appointment with my gynecologist and he didn’t think it was anything to be concerned about, but he wanted me to see a surgeon.
First, I was to have another mammogram and an ultra sound. When I went to the surgeon, he said that the results of those tests didn’t show anything to be concerned about, either. It was just before my period, and you usually get lumpy before your period, so he wanted to wait until after my period to examine me again. In the meantime, I talked to my friend Pat, whose Mom died of breast cancer, and she said, “Debbie, you were not born with that lump, so get it out!” Then I talked to my Mom and she reminded me of one of my aunts who had a lump and the doctor told her to wait to have it removed and it was breast cancer. She said, “Debbie, get it out!”
I went back to the surgeon and I showed him that I had some dimpling on my breast. He wanted to do a needle biopsy and I asked him if I could talk to him first. I told him that I wanted the lump removed. I didn’t care if it was benign or malignant, I wanted it gone. He said I freaked him out a little bit, and if I felt that strongly, he would do a generous tissue biopsy and that would remove the lump. Then, he asked what if it was malignant. I told him to take both of my breasts. He agreed to do what I wanted. I didn’t know until after the surgery that the lump was in fact malignant. The surgeon came in and told me that I was right on with my decision because there was also a lump in my right breast that was malignant and I wouldn’t have found it for at least another year.
My tumors were 2 cm in diameter and in 9 lymph nodes in my left breast and ½ cm in my right breast. That makes it Stage 2 cancer. My cancer is estrogen and progesterone fed so no replacement hormones for me. Anyone who knows me knows I have many, many hot flashes! I had 8 weeks of chemotherapy, going every other week, followed by 33 radiation treatments. I handled both of those pretty well, I continued to play tennis throughout both.
I want to emphasize how it was that I got through both of those treatments so well. First and foremost, it was through the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I really don’t know how people go through their tough times and they don’t lean on our Lord for support. If He leads you to it, He will lead you through it!! Secondly, I am very blessed with a very supportive family. My mom, sister, husband and children were amazing during and after this time. I also have the greatest group of doctors anyone could hope for. Everyone in their office feels like an extension of my family. They are so caring. Finally, I am blessed with an awesome group of friends. They took remarkable care of my family and me.
One other thing helped me thought my treatment time. Ginger, a representative from Gwinnett Hospital Foundation, gave me a copy of one of the handbooks that they give the cancer patients at Gwinnett Medical. These are the books we help buy through VolleyFest. She gave me the book at the luncheon we had before I found my lump! When I got home from the hospital, I asked my husband to find the book for me and it became my guide to dealing with any questions about my cancer and treatments. God truly works in mysterious ways. Here I thought I was working with Volley For A Cure to help me deal with Lindsay’s death when in fact, God was trying to prepare me for what I was about to go through.
I have been cancer free for 2 ½ years. My radiation oncologist told me just the other day that it has been 2 years since I finished radiation and this is the first “Yippee” milestone I will go through.
I cannot emphasize enough the fact that women need to be their own advocate for their health. I love my surgeon, but where would I have been if I had not insisted on removing the lump? Also, where would I have been if I had depended solely on mammograms for my breast check-ups? You have to do self checks AS WELL AS mammograms. Digital mammograms are a big step above our traditional mammograms. You have to know your own body and follow your gut on how to treat any disease. I am not dismissing doctors’ advice, but if you don’t feel that is what you should do, get another opinion.
My mission now is to try to help others by relaying my story and experiences and giving helpful hints to those going through chemotherapy and radiation just as others gave me hints to help me through. I know I am strong enough to beat cancer and with the support of God, family, doctors and friends, I know I cannot go wrong. |
