What I have learned from my breast cancer experience: The importance of early detection and treatment. Each woman, Physician and course of treatment is unique and individual. What works for one person will not necessarily work for another. How important the Doctor/Patient relationship is. You must trust your doctor to help you make the right choices and he/she must allow you to take part in the decision making. When you go for your consultation, take notes or better yet take someone with you to be your ears. Education is the key. Read, study, ask questions. Know and understand your options. Find a breast cancer support group, these women know how you feel and they are an invaluable source of comfort and information. My Concerns:     For the women who do not do self breast exams and put off annual mammograms. These are the two most important steps you can take to ensure that should you have breast cancer, you too can be a survivor.     That there are still women who find a lump or a change in the breast and choose not to do anything about it. Nine out of ten breast lumps are benign. However, if you are diagnosed and you detect it early enough, there is a 100% survival rate.     Because of my own diagnosis, the increased risk for my daughters. Since I had breast cancer at such a young age, my daughters are at a 50% higher risk of developing the disease. They both had baseline mammograms at age twenty five and continue to do BSE and have annual clinical exams. Their persistence, understanding and awareness of breast cancer may very well save their lives some day. My Goals: To stay healthy. To support and encourage my fellow survivors. To educate all women about the importance of early detection through mammography and self breast exams. To continue my commitment both personally and professionally to the breast cancer community.

   Pre-surgery I was scheduled for a bone and liver scan, chest x-ray and a standard blood workup. The bone scan revealed several shadows in my hips and pelvis, the liver scan and chest x-ray were normal. I was then sent for an MRI and a closer look at the skeletal structure. The MRI confirmed numerous lesions or tumors in the hip sockets and the pelvic area...my cancer had spread to the bone, Damn!

   Almost four years to the exact date of my first surgery, I underwent a second mastectomy.

   Because my cancer had metastasized (spread) to the bone, it was determined that the course of treatment for me this time would also include an oopherectomy (removal of the ovaries). Because my cancer was hormone positive, it was critical in my treatment to eliminate the natural hormones that might further promote the growth of my bone tumors.

Since the inception of the "SOFTEE"® Ladies First has introduced a number of additional designs addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of the post mastectomy woman. Because our products are created by women who understand, these special designs are always functional yet feminine and fashionable.

   When I woke up in recovery this time, I had the mastectomy incision and also an abdominal incision. I recall the first time I saw myself naked in front of a mirror I cringed—not because it was so painful but because I looked like a patchwork quilt! With the oopherectomy, my body was hurled into surgically induced menopause - I experienced my first hot flash within minutes of coming out of recovery. Again my lymph nodes were clear and with additional follow up treatment the prognosis was considered to be very positive.

   I was immediately prescribed Nolvadex-Tamoxifen, an oral hormonal form of chemotherapy. I was told I would be taking this drug for the rest of my life.

   To this day, Tamoxifen is a very controversial drug. It has some worrisome side effects including menopausal symptoms, but for me it has proven to be a wonder drug, a life line.

The Legacy

   It has now been thirteen years since my first mastectomy and nine years since my reoccurrence. I undergo semi annual MRI's, bone scans, an assortment of x-rays and exams. I am to date still considered to be in remission and hopefully the cancer will continue to remain at bay. Because of my treatments and early intervention, I am very much alive and well today. It has been quite a journey - some very rough times - some very good times - always it has been a learning experience that has definitely made me a stronger person.

   Having breast cancer is not the worst thing that has ever happened to me. It changed my life, but has never changed me or who I am. I am just grateful that I am a survivor and as crazy as it may sound, I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to use my own personal experiences to hopefully be of help to the women who will follow.

   I have always told my family that I believe I am here today because it was meant to be. I believe I have important things to accomplish, things that will make a positive difference in the lives of present and future breast cancer survivors.

   My legacy began with the design of the Original "SOFTEE"^® Comfort Form, a soft and lightweight post surgery camisole that allows women to recover from a mastectomy with the shape, comfort and protection they deserve. The "SOFTEE"^® came from my heart and my own experiences of leaving the hospital unable to wear a bra and feeling very self conscious. I named my company, Ladies First, Inc., and we have been manufacturing and marketing this wonderful product world wide since 1990.

   Ten years ago if someone would have told me that this would be my life, I wouldn't have believed them! Who would have guessed that so much good and positive could come from having cancer.

   For me there was never a question about whether I would have implants or reconstruction. I decided early on in my treatment that I would not. I was comfortable and satisfied to wear a pocketed bra and an external breast prosthesis.

   Many of my friends were surprised by my choice, because of my age it was almost expected that I would opt to undergo reconstruction of some sort. I understand now that age really has no impact on this decision. I know of eighty year old women who are determined to have implants and twenty six year old women who aren't interested. It is a very personal choice based on many things. Even though I chose not to have implants, I am grateful that I did have that option.

   Thirteen years ago when I purchased my first prosthesis, It was a traumatic experience that I will never forget. I first had problems finding a store to purchase the specialized products. My initial stop was at a local department store where I was waited on by a teenage girl. It was a very insensitive environment and I left the store empty handed. I then visited several orthopedic/prosthetic businesses who did not handle the post mastectomy products I needed. I became very discouraged and was embarrassed to be waited on by men and of being put in the position of telling them what it was that I was looking for. I finally stumbled on a store in a city 60 miles from my home that carried breast prostheses and surgical bras, fortunately they also had trained fitters who could correctly measure and fit me. My choices were few, there were only two styles of breast forms and one style of bra available. I wasn't thrilled with either of my purchases, but was accepting that at least I had something that worked. continued