Typing Your Survival Story….and Mine

The first survivor (on the left) I am presenting is the longest survivor in my practice that I have treated. She is a thirty year survivor. She has also worked for me as my transcriptionist for over 25 years. And that is where this story becomes interesting….

IN HER OWN WORDS: I met Dr. Kehoe at the age of 36 when I returned for a six month follow-up suggested by a previous breast doctor. When the examination was over, Dr. Kehoe suggested that we do a breast biopsy. I told him that I was surprised at this because the last doctor who found that same large lump stated that it was nothing for me to worry about.

I just didn’t have the time for the procedure because I was raising four young children. Dr. Kehoe looked at me and said, “Do you want to be here for your children?”

I thought about it. I then thought that if this was cancer, I could end up not being with my children at all. So I listened to him, and it’s a good thing I did. My test came back with a positive result for malignancy. I had breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and then a few years later after finding that my other breast had pre-cancerous cells, I opted to have my other breast to be removed.

I went through the surgeries and the chemotherapy and here I am thirty years later writing about it. I never had to worry about my children because unexpected help was there for me. So, not only did I get to see my children grow up, but now have six grandsons, and one granddaughter who is the newest edition to our family.

I have worked for Dr. Kehoe for the last twenty-five years and have done every job in his office. I have found that my transcriptionist position has been the most rewarding. I love typing the notes he generates on each cancer survivor when they come into the office. “She comes in now 22 years (or 10 years or 4 years) after her breast cancer diagnosis. She is NED (no evidence of disease).”

I type those words onto the page and a smile comes onto my face. Another breast cancer survivor, just like me. The more I type something like this the better I feel. And I feel great for all the survivors out there and want to keep on typing their stories….and mine.