In November of 2000, I went to my yearly mammogram and thought nothing of it. A week later the clinic sent me a letter requesting I make another appt. because of a "suspicious area" it said, I made another appt. that day. A day or two later my chest was itching, I put lotion on it to make it stop and noticed a lump beside my pectoral muscle on the right breast. I thought that must be the suspicious area, although it was not there when I did my self-exam in October.

I went for the second mammogram, the "suspicious area" was a scar from a previous biopsy I had done the prior year. However, my newly discovered lump did not show on the mammogram. The technician could feel it, so she called in the radiologist and he performed a sonogram on the spot. He too, could not see it, but could feel the lump. He said I needed to see a surgeon right away. I knew what it was immediately and suspected it would impact my life considerably. Things happened very quickly from that day forward; my primary doctor had his staff set up my appt. with the general surgeon. I met with my general surgeon on Dec. 15th and on the 18th I had my biopsy. Since it was the holidays, I had to wait ten days for the results of my biopsy. In the meantime, I went to N.C. to see my parents.

I was diagnosed with Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma on January 2nd, 2001. Happy New Year to me I thought as the surgeon was telling me my fate. He drew me a "flow chart" of my options, one was the lumpectomy and the second was a modified radical mastectomy. I was more interested in how big it was and how many "fingers" it had. My chest muscle was very sore, so I knew it had to be a whopper. In reality it wasn't, it was 1.7 centimeters with 3 fingers extending into the milk ducts. This information caused me to go with the second option, I did not want to be back in the OR the following year for a recurrence (which was highly probable)...this decision profoundly influenced other aspects of my life, especially my marriage.

I had my surgery on Jan. 25th; a tissue expander was placed in my chest at that time so I did not go through the psychological phase of not having breast when I woke up in the hospital. My nodes tested negative, a good sign the cancer was caught early. I had excellent care from my doctors and especially from my mother (she had been through a bi-lateral mastectomy due to fibro cystic disease). The next step was to see an oncologist.

The first oncologist I met with made me realize how cancer can affect someone. Seeing people in various stages of their treatment was a huge reality slap and it scared me more than the surgery! I couldn't handle it or the doctor I was introduced to. I requested two additional opinions because I felt that I did not need chemotherapy. I went to Moffit and another oncologist in St. Petersburg, both said I needed chemotherapy as an adjunctive therapy course. I chose the oncologist in St. Petersburg, he was closer to my house and I liked him. It was determined that I only needed four chemo treatments (AC) and I did not need radiation treatments. I still had a hard time making this decision, I had spoken to several people on this issue and they convinced me to do it. The benefits of doing chemo outweighed other arguments I could think of! I completed the chemo in May and yes, I lost my hair. I also got sick on the last treatment, but overall I did very well. The oncologist proclaimed me as healthy on July 10. Does it mean my cancer will come back? No one knows for sure....

I am not any different than other females who have experienced breast cancer. I am 40, with no children, in the midst of a divorce among a few other landslides in my life. A positive attitude and a huge lust for life have kept me going through all of this. I had to make some huge sacrifices to get where I am today and I am a much better person due to having cancer. I talk to my friends, family and any stranger who asks about what I go through with cancer. I discovered along the way who my true friends are and who loves me for who I am not what I look like. I also learned life is really short and to make the most of it while I am here on earth.

The final step I have now is my reconstructive surgery, which is scheduled for August. It is weird that I am looking forward to this surgery, but it is a positive step toward a completion of a new me!

My advice to others who find lumps in their breasts: don't always rely on a mammogram, YOU have to do your own investigating and pursue it until YOU are satisfied with the diagnosis. Apathy is not a good virtue when it comes to your health.

Annette St. Pierre

St. Petersburg, Fl.