My Story: Bernadette

In May 2002 I was told I had inflammatory breast cancer. This is a cancer of the cells and not like a tumor or growth where the cancer could start and develop before spreading. Usually by the time inflammatory breast cancer is diagnosed already in a very advanced stage.

It all started with a rash for two months before I went to a doctor. I had no idea a rash would be cancer. My breasts became red and painful and after the tests I was given two months to live. I did not give up hope. I was nervous, stressed and depressed. All I could think of is seeing my son graduate from high school and see my daughter who was pregnant, deliver my first grand child.

I was willing to try everything and was told that my best chances were to go to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX. Once I was at M. D. Anderson it must have been a week of nothing but tests and documentation of where the cancer started and how far it had advanced, in what direction it was heading and all this information was being given to a team of doctors who would take this information and determine the process and treatments.

It all started with Chemo and when this was not going as well as the team of doctors hoped for they started a regiment of experimental drugs which were added to the Chemo treatments. These treatments dragged on over a period of six months. It was brought to our attention that in the event the treatments could not contain the cancer in the breast to no more than 3% that there would not be any reason to go forward. In the meantime we were traveling back and forth from El Paso TX to Houston TX adding a huge financial burden and additional stress. There were times that I felt so sick from the treatments that it was hard to stay focused on the goal at hand. The day came for the final tests and we were all biting our nails in hope that the containment was with in the 3% allowing us to go forward with the next stage. All I can say is god must have been riding on my shoulder because the tests were approx. 1.5% activity and we were able to continue our fight for life.

We began to realize why the doctors would not explain the entire process to us. It seemed that each level was more difficult as we progressed.

The next phase was surgery which included both breasts and went on to include the lymph nodes under both arms. This would eventually cause my lymphodemia (not sure of spelling) disability. Again the fact that we did not know if all this was in vein was taking its toll. Accommodations and travel expenses were becoming a very real problem. It was difficult to use my arms and my right arm was always swollen. I had no feeling on my right shoulder for two months. The probable case was the 25 lymph nodes that were taken out of the right arm vs. 14 taken from the left arm. It took lots of therapy and exercise over a period of nine months before I was able to use my arms normally. The doctors still insist that I do not lift more than 5 pounds.

After a long and difficult struggle I was able to overcome the surgeries along with rehab and finally make it to the next stage of the plan. The next was the worst of all.

Radiation: This consisted of two treatments per day, one in the morning and one in the evening lasting for approx. 45 minuets each. The worst part was that due to the daily treatment I had to arrange accommodations to live in Houston while completing treatments which lasted approx. six weeks. The treatments which included my neck chest down to my stomach and across to and including under both arms were left dark purple from all the burning radiation which had to be done in order not to take any chances that we may leave any microscopic cancer cell alive.

I really feel that my prayers, family, friends and a great team of doctors gave me courage to face my illness. My husband was a great support and inspiration for me and was with me through the entire process.

Well, thanks be to God, not only did I survive the whole ordeal, I was able to see my son graduate from high school and my grandson come into this world. I also went on to witness my daughter graduate from collage, two granddaughters born and look forward to my daughter getting her masters in May of 2009.

Life is good.

Love, Bernadette