When I was asked to write this article and get a picture to be put into the Emery County Progress, I was startled at first. And I thought I hadn’t hardly realized that I was a cancer survivor.
It was strange how the word cancer can be so alarming, when you hear that someone else has cancer,. But until you hear that you have it you can hardly grasp the idea you actually have had cancer.
I know how upsetting and sad it was to be told that my father had cancer, which was a myeloma tumor between his heart and lungs, and it was too close to each organ to try to do anything about it. So it took my father quite rapidly.
Just a while before Christmas, I got a letter that it was time for my mammogram. I had always done the self examination, but hadn’t done it for a short while. I had about decided not to get the mammogram, when one night as I turned over in bed and there was a pinch as I turned. I got up and did the self exam and to my surprise, there was a pea sized lump. They checked me and said I did need a mammogram, so they called and made an appointment for me.
I went as scheduled for the test and when I was finished, the technician doing the x-ray asked, “Will you wait a minute?” She went and got the radiologist to come check the results. He told her that he wanted an ultrasound done on it. I became somewhat startled at all of this. The radiologist said that it looked too suspicious and that I should have a biopsy done on it. I called Dr. Cox and made an appointment, it was scheduled for Jan. 4.
I went to the hospital and he talked to my family and I about my options if it was cancer. I asked him if it was cancer, could he do a mastectomy?
When he went out and told my family that it was cancer, he said that they happened to have two pathologists there that day and they could go ahead with the surgery. It was a complete mastectomy.
I am so thankful and love my family so much for their prayers, their faith, and for all the cards, phone calls and love that was given by friends and family.
I advise all women, young or old, to get your checkups and have your mammograms done, and don’t put if off.
I guess I can say I am a survivor.
Cancer Survivor Xv: Ruby Rowley
