Getting Beyond This… My Breast Cancer Story
by Andrea, patient, Prisma Health Breast Center in the Midlands
Hello, my name is Andrea, but family and friends call me Angie. I am a 48 year old Columbia, SC native. Most recently, my husband & I moved to Camden & we love rural living!!! My loving, supportive village consists of my amazing husband, my beautiful mother, my brother & my sisters, a host of uncles, aunties, (especially my Aunt Carolyn; she is like a second mother to me), Ms Doris,(my godmother), my cousins, (who are just like siblings in my family), my church family, as well as several close friends & their families.
I began to get mammograms in my early 40s, because of my family’s history. On my paternal side of the family, my grandmother & 2 aunts had breast cancer. Unfortunately, we have lost them. During April of 2022, I began to experience several pains in my breast & I thought it was menstrual. However, on April 30th, I felt 2 very distinguished lumps, did a self-breast exam & contacted my OBGYN immediately. I did not think I needed to wait until my annual mammogram in late June. And, I am so glad I didn’t. After the diagnostic mammogram, an ultrasound, and the biopsies, I was diagnosed with what I now know was Stage III Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer on May 13, 2022.
My family is a family of believers with strong faith!! I coat my life with gratitude!! His Will, His Plan, My Faith!! I was raised singing in the church, going to weekly Bible Study, attending weekly worship service & I know that God did not bring me this far to leave me!! The blood of Jesus gives me strength from day to day!!! I depend on prayer, (from my entire village), scriptures, playlists with my favorite gospel songs, and a digital Christian journal to muscle through this journey. With my faith, my family & my friends, I am more than a conqueror and I am winning!!!
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, surround yourself with positive, encouraging family & friends. Their love does wonders for your healing. If you are a loved one supporting a patient during treatment, be very patient & understanding. This journey is very emotional & sometimes we just need an ear or simply a hug. No one needs to fight this alone. Early detection truly saves lives!! If you have been afraid to have a mammogram, if you don’t do the monthly self-breast exams, or if you have a family history of breast cancer; stop hesitating and make an appointment for your mammogram!! Although my former diagnosis was STAGE III, it was definitely not the end for me!! The cancer was contained to one area and early detection truly saved my life!!
From the time I walked in the Breast Center, I was very well taken care of. They consistently inform and educate me about every procedure & its purpose in my healing journey. The staff at both locations, Parkridge & Baptist, always answers questions from me and my family. They also consistently follow-up after appointments or procedures. If I reach out through My Chart, I always get a response within 24-hours or less.
I was afraid, because this was all very overwhelming. However, from the day I met them, every time I come to the office, and especially the day of surgery, Nurse Sue and Dr. Metropol have truly been angels. They soothe any doubts, assure you that you are in good hands, and help you map your way through your journey. Dr. Metropol, Nurse Sue and the entire office staff came highly recommended & their reputation superseded my expectations.
Breast cancer is a chapter in your life. It is not an entire story and definitely not the end. Don’t sit and research on Google!! You must communicate with your health care team and trust them to help you through this chapter of your life. You must also communicate with your family and allow them to support you through this journey!! You will get to the other side!!