Back in October 2023, I was in Arkansas for the Celebration of Life of my favorite uncle. One night, I was awakened to pain under my right arm down my right side. I did not think of anything of it. The pain would come and go throughout the rest of the year 2023. At the beginning of 2024, I was still experiencing this pain and over the next couple of months the pain became more frequent. I called my OB-GYN office and made an appointment. My doctor came in and did a breast exam and felt a lump under my right arm. She sent me for diagnostic testing, and it was concluded as excess breast tissue. According to the radiologist, she said I have dense breast tissue. It could be my hormones, and the tissue can become inflamed under my arm. I took that but I did not stop being my own health advocate because the pain became so great that I could not raise my arm above my head. I called my OB-GYN office again, explained that the pain has gotten more intense, and I could not raise my arm. My doctor sent me to the Breast Cancer Surgeons of Texas. I met this amazing African America woman that has been a surgeon for over 30 years. She taught me the correct way to do a self-breast exam by laying down. We did that exam and she found the mass in my right breast. I decreed in that office, I trust God. She sent me to the same location I had been previously for diagnostic testing and accepted doing a biopsy. When I went back to this place did the testing and the radiologist came in after the ultrasound. She compared my mammogram from September 2023 to April 2024 and saw it had grown but they thought it was just dense breast tissue on my last mammogram in 2023. A couple of weeks later we did the biopsy. The results come back as benign and was told to come back in six months. My breast cancer surgeon and I decided to have surgery and not wait because the mass had grown. We had surgery on May 9,2024 to remove the mass known as a lumpectomy. The surgeon sent the mass to pathology. I went to my post-surgery check with my surgeon, she received the report and spoke with the pathologist to make sure it was correct. She comes in the room with this look on her face and said, “I am so sorry to tell you this, but you have cancer.” Bestie, my stomach dropped to the floor. But once again, I said to her, “I trust God.” She began to brace me for the journey ahead, stating that things are going to move fast and indeed they did. I had more tests to take, blood to give, and so many medical professionals that would handle my care moving forward. I had and completed 10 radiation treatments in August 2024. I learned to be comfortable with being vulnerable, open and seen in more ways than one. And as of August 28th , I rang the bell and I am cancer free. I am a SURVIVOR.
Out of my journey God has birth in me, “Your Breast Bestie.” I am here to walk this journey out with you my “Bestie.” Whether you are in active treatments, in post-active treatments, or just beginning the journey. “Your Breast Bestie” will have a “bestie” that will be a support to the patient in active and post treatment. Your “bestie” will go along to doctor’s appointments and treatment appointments to hold your hand and interpret the medical terminology. Through “Your Breast Bestie” we will provide financial assistance to help with utilities, gas, and gift cards for other responsibilities. I am so honored to be along the journey as “Your Breast Bestie.” Thank you for entrusting me with your story, experience and renewed purpose.
