How early detection saved my life

BY: DEBORAH TREADWAY 

“The key is early detection”

Last year, at age 65, I thought my world had stopped. Not me. No. Never. Not possible. I thought this could never happen to me. Hey wait, I’m planning to compete as a swimmer in the Texas Senior Games in April 2018. I’ve just retired so it’s my turn to exercise, travel and have fun. Since my mother didn’t have cancer and lived to the age of 90, I shouldn’t get cancer right? 

Then it happened, four days before Christmas in 2017. My oncology team at MD Anderson confirmed my diagnosis: stage 1 invasive lobular breast cancer. Total disbelief. Now what? My life would never be the same.

Discovering my diagnosis

For twenty years, I faithfully got my annual 2D imaging mammograms in Houston. In 2017,  I decided to get a 3D mammogram, which was available in Austin. Thank God I did. After a detailed review by their radiologist, she called me into her office. She told me that she saw something suspicious in the films. 

“I was diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer”       

Can you say rebellious disbelief? But, there’s no symptoms, no lump, no pain! After some discussion we agreed that the next step was to get an ultrasound as soon as possible. The ultrasound confirmed that there was a shadowy image on my right breast. They advised me to get an immediate biopsy. After a long anxious weekend in December, my internist gave me the bad news from the pathology report. It said I had invasive lobular cancer. Within hours, I contacted The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to make an appointment.

“I loved how personable and detailed each of them was in their assessment”

Next came two days of tests at MD Anderson. After the tests, my husband, son and I met with my surgeon, Dr. Alistair Thompson, Dr. Eric Strom, radiology oncologist and Dr. Ramirez, general oncologist.  I loved how personable and detailed each of them were in their assessment and recommendations for the challenge that faced me.. I immediately had great confidence in them. Thank God we had caught this early! 

Dr. Strom assured me that this could possibly be just “a small problem with a simple solution.” I never lost hope or confidence. MD Anderson was definitely the place to be. The staff (all of them) was top notch and first class from the first moment. Unbeatable. I felt so blessed and grateful.

We spoke with our team and set a treatment plan. Then we executed the plan. We can do this! The lumpectomy was done on February 1, 2018. Dr. Thompson removed the cancerous area along with one lymph node to see if cancer had started to spread. The lymph node test results came back negative.

“Easier on surrounding tissue”

After allowing time to heal in March 2018, I had five days of proton therapy radiation. It was administered directly to the site where the cancer was removed. Proton therapy treatment is much more controllable than the traditional radiation and is much “easier on surrounding tissue.” On the last day of proton radiation, I rang the gong to celebrate the end of my cancer treatment with the wonderful radiation staff. 

Next, it was time to start tuning my postoperative medication and go home to restart my life. Even though there were a few detours along the way in early summer, I definitely was feeling much better. 

My husband, Bill, and I decided to go on a 6,500-mile camping road trip in July and August of 2018. I started swimming again a little. It felt so good to get back in the water.

“I received ‘gold medal’ care by all the staff at MD Anderson”

Then in September 2018, I had lots more tests at my nine-month mark to check to see if I was still cancer-free. Great news -- all was good!

I received “gold medal” care by all the staff at MD Anderson. They never lost hope and that helped keep my attitude strong to fight this dreadful disease. I am so grateful to all of them.

“Never quit, never lose hope and never give up”

I plan to start back swimming and water aerobics soon. I belong to the Texas Gold Masters Swimming Team in Georgetown and plan to return one day. Who knows? I may even compete in the upcoming Texas Senior Games being held next Spring, thanks to MD Anderson and lots of support from my family and friends. Never quit, never lose hope and never give up!