Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Don't Wait

Friday morning started with a text from a colleague that said “Eileen passed away this morning”

Eileen and I worked in the same building for years although she worked in a department I rarely had to coordinate with.  Mostly we saw each other in staff meetings.

We were diagnosed with the same type of  breast cancer at the same time and became friends as we supported we other on our medical journeys.

My cancer was found by a routine yearly mammogram - 3 tumors, 2 in the left breast, one in the right. Within a week I had 3 biopsies and, learned the type and grade of the tumors.

Eileen had felt a lump in her right breast months before and waited seek medical care.

I immediately had a bilateral mastectomy and a couple of nodes removed that showed that the cancer had not spread.

Eileen had one breast removed but her nodes showed that the cancer had already spread.

I recovered from the surgery in a few weeks and started a regimen of estrogen killing drugs that gave me wicked hot flashes.

Eileen had to start chemo, was sick as a dog, lost her hair, her energy and a couple of months of work. But she never quite bounced back from the chemo and quit working.

I had had lunch with her  a short while ago and she was saying that she still was not feeling well and was going to call the doctor soon. Turns out that the cancer had spread to her bones.  By the time she went it was too late.

Friday morning Eileen died. She was 55 years old.

Saturday morning my daughter Beaner and I went to New York City to see a Broadway show. In a couple of weeks I am will be hiking in Sedona with Peachie.

Sunday afternoon Eileen’s her children gathered to mourn her.

I can’t help but think of the different ways our lives went all because she was too frightened to get medical help when she knew something was wrong.  Cancer is not like a cold. It will not go away with a good night’s sleep.  

I urge everyone to keep up with their routine screenings and preventive wellness. And if you suspect something is not right, get medical attention immediately.  Early detection and treatment does save lives and even in the 5 years since my cancer, they have made huge strides in treatment.  

While my daughters and I are out making memories, Eileen’s are burying her.  

Please don’t wait.

14 comments:

  1. I am sorry for your loss. I am sorry that Eileen and so many others ignore or deny the messages. My thoughts go out to Eileen's network of friends and family.

    Powerful message delivered poignantly.

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    1. Thanks. It is so frustrating to me that people ignore the obvious, especially when they have good health insurance and no excuses.

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  2. Oh, no! Poor Eileen, poor family. That's just heartbreaking. My thoughts are with them.

    I'm so glad that you followed your own advice. No matter how tough it is, facing the inevitable is better than running from it. Like you, T dealt with her cancer immediately. In fact, the doctors didn't give her a chance to delay. And, now, with her boobs off and her lymph nodes clear, all she needs to do is take a pill once a day for five years. Easy. And, she gets to live.

    Thank you for appreciating life. And continuing to live it.
    xoxoxo

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    1. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I just finished my 5 year regimen and was told that the protocol is now 10 years. Damn.

      But taking a little white pill every day sure beats the alternative.

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  3. I'm really sorry for your loss. This is so sad. And a really good reminder to get checked. I had a cousin who waited and she was gone within a year of finally going in - it was brutal and I can't help but think she might still be alive if she hadn't let fear keep her from doing something so important.

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    1. Condolences for the loss of your cousin. It is so sad when fear stops people from seeking the treatment that they need, especially when not getting treatment only magnifies the problem, and makes treatment more difficult.

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  4. I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for the reminder to take our health serious. I am way overdue for a mammogram. I'll be making the appointment.

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    1. I hope you do. In fact I will probably hound you until you do. I'm sure you want to be around to see your granddaughter on a Broadway stage some day : )

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  5. Oh my goodness what a powerful piece. I'm so sorry for Eileen and her family and so glad for you and yours. The moral is important whatever the problem: never wait, either for diagnosis and treatment or to grab life by the scruff and get out there making memories. If not cancer, it could be an aneurism or sudden stroke. Life is never certain as you of all people know too well: lessons for us all here. Thanks for the reminder.

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    1. So nice to hear from you sweffling! I was beginning to worry a little.

      You're right - tomorrow is never promised to us, but we do have a better chance at more tomorrows if we take care of ourselves today

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  6. I'm so sorry for your loss. (And relieved to have just gotten my clear mammogram.)

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  7. The only thing better than a clear mammogram is never having to have another mammogram again : )

    I'm happy and relieved for you. And kudos for taking care of yourself.

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  8. Oh, that's so sad. She's just a year older than me.

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