In honor of Tabitha Fuchs
I had recently relocated to North Carolina from Michigan in June of 2008. I was loving life with my husband and two small children, enjoying the warmer climate and living close to the beach and mountains. Then, only months later on New Year’s Eve, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 30 years old. Cancer does not run in my family and I hadn’t even had a friend or co-worker who had ever experienced any type of cancer. I was so uneducated on the subject that I assumed it was a death sentence.
My co-workers overwhelmingly advised me to seek my cancer treatment from UNC Chapel Hill. I made a call that first week in January that changed my outlook. I called to speak to the breast coordinator, Jami Linn, and she assured me that not only was breast cancer a non death sentence, it was completely manageable for most people and she gave me every bit of hope that I would be one of those people who would undergo treatment and still be able to maintain a good quality of life. Things weren’t as scary after I spoke with Jami.
Within a week I met my amazing oncologist, Dr. William Irvin and underwent many tests to see the extent of my diagnosis. We learned that it was not contained to the breast and spread to a couple lymph nodes. This was another major blow for my future, so I thought. The Dr.’s assured me that because I’m willing to treat this aggressively; my chances for long term survival are increased. I underwent aggressive chemotherapy, a mastectomy, 7 weeks of radiation and am now on pills for the next 5 years. I’ve also been able to be a part of two promising clinical trials.
I had no risk factors, other than I’m a woman. Because I was aware of my body, I was able to catch and treat this at a Stage II. I have a totally different outlook on life now. I take nothing for granted. I’ve been given a second chance and I intend to make the very most of it. I’m so young that I am lucky to be able to carry this attitude with me for so many more years.