Hi. I’m Michelle, and I’m 64 years old. I live in Ottawa, Ontario with my husband and our cat. We’re “empty nesters”, as our daughter lives with her husband and their family of cats. I’m enjoying retirement, and pursuing activities I never had the time (or energy) for when I was working full-time.

My breast cancer story is, well, long. Also, it was especially stressful  because, from the initial scan (mammogram) to the end of my treatment, COVID was happening, so I was on my own for all appointments (including diagnosis) & post-surgery: no visitors.

• October 2020: annual mammogram (because my breast tissue is dense, which makes it difficult to detect problems from normal breast tissue). “Something” in my left breast showed up on the scan.
• November: Another Mammogram & Ultrasound. Result: “Abnormality” found (1/2 cm hypoechoic, fluid filled nodule)
• December: Biopsy. Result: Inconclusive. Next steps: Wait 6 months for next screening.
• 2021 June: Mammogram & Ultrasound. Result: inconclusive. Next steps: “Do you want a biopsy? Will be more conclusive.” My reply: “YES.”
• July: Biopsy.
• Mid-August: Phone appt. with my Doctor. Biopsy result: Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia ADH (an overgrowth of cells), which meant I was at increased risk for Breast Cancer BUT wouldn’t necessarily HAVE it. Next steps: Request submitted for consult with Breast Surgeon.
• September: Consult with Breast Surgeon. Recommendation: Undergo surgery asap, “hopefully within a month”.
• End of October: Pre-op phone appt. with nurse, & request submitted for seed implant procedure
• Early November: Seed implant
• Mid-November: Surgery
• Late-November: Post-op with Surgeon. Pathology Results: 2 mm cancerous tissue in the mass that was removed (the smallest mass he’d ever seen, over 30 years) Recommendation: Surgery on 3 lymph nodes, to determine if the Cancer spread. 
• Sidebar*: Beginning of December: Hysterectomy. (unrelated, but time sensitive surgery) *3 surgeries in 1 month!
• Mid-December: Pre-op appt., then Lymph Node surgery.
• Mid-December post-op: Nurse called: Referral request sent to see a radiation oncologist AND chemotherapist to determine next steps. Timing: Once pathology results available=probably in the new year.
• 1st week of January 2022: Appt. with Radiation Oncologist. Recommendation: radiation treatment: 15 rounds/3 weeks. Next day, appt. with Chemotherapy Oncologist: agreed with Radiation Oncologist’s recommendation. “No chemo, no meds: too risky.”
• Mid-January 2022: Lymph Node post-op with Surgeon. “No evidence of Cancer spread to Lymph Nodes. Area healing nicely.”
• End of January-February: Radiation
• Mid-May: Post-Radiation follow up with Radiation Oncologist. “The breast looks good.”, she said. Next step: Mammogram, “in 3 months”.
• October: Mammogram. Results: No indication of malignancy. Recommendation: Continue with annual mammograms.
• Mid-January 2023: Appt. with Radiation Oncologist: examined my breasts, asked if I felt any lumps, &/or experienced any coughing post-Radiation. “No, and Just a little.”Next steps: See Radiation Oncologist in 6 months: next Mammogram “in October”.
• End of November: Mammogram. Findings: No evidence of malignancy. “ACR C: The breast tissue is heterogeneously dense, which may obscure small masses. Post-therapeutic changes in the left breast demonstrate no adverse change. No dominant mass, architectural distortion or suspicious microcalcifications.”
• Mid-December: Follow-up with Radiation Oncologist, who examined me & asked about my concerns. Next steps: Mammogram next year, then follow-up with her post-Mammo.
• Mid-December 2024: Mammogram.
• Next day: Appt. with Radiation Oncologist. “Since you’re now almost 3 years CANCER FREE (post-Radiation), today will be your LAST appointment with a Radiation Oncologist. You’ll have continuous care provided by The Wellness Beyond Cancer Program (WBCP). The Hospital will schedule an appt. with a Nurse Practitioner with the Program. You’ll continue having annual Mammograms & be eligible for a Bi-Annual Ultrasound* for the rest of your life.” *Still pending.
• Mid-January 2025: Nurse from WBCP called: “You now need to have a “care plan review”. At the beginning of April you’ll meet with a Registered Nurse at the Hospital. Then your file will be closed (but records still accessible) at the Hospital Cancer Centre. Your care plan will be sent to your Doctor for action as required (eg, schedule future mammograms , ultrasounds, etc.).”
• End of June: Phone appt. with RN from the WBCP, who asked how I was feeling, & then summarized my breast cancer history from surgeries to present day. Recommendations/Next Steps: (1) Annual appt. with my Dr.: “physical” and breast exam. (2) Annual Mammogram (requested by Doctor), after “physical”. (3) Ultrasound (every 2 years): On wait list. (4) Breast self exam: do once a month. See Doctor if any concerns. (5) Gave me name of new Oncologist. (6) All above info to be sent to me electronically, via My Chart. (7) I was asked if I had any questions. I did.

How do I feel these days? Anxious, still. I’m grateful for the fact that I don’t have to advocate for myself, because the system of technicians, doctors, and the surgeon did so for me. I do feel privileged that we have free health care in this country, and that eases what could be an enormous financial burden. I think, though, that I’ll always wonder if my Cancer will return. My experience has changed my life. I value every day, and make sure that I look after myself. I’ve eliminated stressors as much as possible. I don’t tolerate BS. I speak up and set boundaries with people who don’t respect me. Some relationships have ended. Life is simply too short and precious to waste any of my time.