A lifesaving appointment
By Edie Grim
Five years ago November, I was told I had breast cancer. Being told you have cancer is not the end of the world, but it’s close. Even though my aunt on my mother’s side had breast cancer, my aunt on my dad’s side died at 42 of breast cancer and her three daughters had breast cancer, I never gave it much thought.
The news that took my breath away was my cancer was in both breasts. “First you cry” is an understatement. The one thing about working in an onion plant, McCain Foods USA, is that you can cry all day long and no one asks you what’s wrong.
The worse part of the whole ordeal is the waiting. You wait for the results of this test, then you wait some more, and finally, after three weeks of waiting, I called the Grand Island Clinic on break at work, and the nurse replied, “It’s not a good report. You have in situ cancer in both breasts.”
That meant the cancer was contained in the milk ducts. The cancer cells were very small and had not spread to my blood stream. So, after the initial bad news, all the rest of the news was good. I didn’t have to have chemotherapy and had 36 radiation treatments.
I opted to have lumpectomies as I was definitely not ready to lose any of my body parts. I was not ready mentally or emotionally. Some guy told me one time I was beautiful from the waist up. So you can see why I made the decision I made. Not to sound vain but I had to save what little self-esteem I had left — even if it meant losing my life.
Dr. Steve Schneider was a wonderful surgeon as you can’t even see my scars. Dr. Bolton was my radiologist, and a caring more compassionate man you will never find. Dr. Copur is the most dedicated physician there is, besides Jesus, our Lord. Dr. Elson found my cancer after the mammogram. To him, I am most humbly grateful. The Oncology Center here in Grand Island is the best facility anywhere.
Roger, my husband, was my main spoke on the wheel. He supported me all the way. He went to doctor appointments and hospital visits and, as my caregiver, was kind, loving and showed his concern every day.
My good friend and cancer survivor, Vicki Madsen, told me that I would be a better person because of cancer, and I thought she was nuts, but it’s true. I met the most courageous people sitting in the waiting room, and some will be lifelong friends.
Each day is precious to me now. I never forget to notice a sunny day, a starry, starry night, a pink sunset or a rainstorm, which makes the flowers grow. The blessings of my family, my friends, my old country church, my health, will never again be taken for granted. If you don’t have these things in your life, you don’t have much.
Why do I want to tell you my story? Because, in my case, my cancer was detected early. All cancer wants to do is multiply and divide. One in eight women will be diagnosed with cancer this year. I can’t say it enough: A mammogram saved my life.
It was my mother, Doris, really. She is 89 years young now and is living at the veterans home in Grand Island. It was very hard to go and tell her the news. I am her only child. She lost my father to a plane crash in the U.S. Navy in 1951. Roger, my husband, says the cord isn’t cut yet. Anyway, she nagged and nagged. After Vicki had a radical mastectomy, my mother insisted I have my first mammogram. You know how mothers are. I had my first one in 1995, and they found cancer eight years later.
I really need to say “thanks” to the people who organize the Relay for Life, held at Central Catholic every June. These people need to be recognized for their hard work for cancer research. I love you all. Also, a special thanks to the wellness program at McCain Foods USA. Without you, I might not have made my appointment. Thank goodness I had good benefits and insurance at work. The whole ordeal cost about $35,000. Roger and I could have lost our 20-acre farm near Dannebrog and everything we have worked so hard for.
Roger and I have three children, Randi, Ryan and Rachel, and three grandchildren, Chris, Meghan and Cody. Rachel told us last week she is due in April. They are all so special to us.
I will say it again: Get your annual physical, and ladies, get your mammograms. If, by telling my story, I can help one person, then my experience was all worth it. Early detection saves lives. If you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for your family. They love and need you.
UPDATE MARCH 1, 2009:
Edie is a breast cancer survivor who urged women never to skip regular mammograms. She said that, if telling her story helps one person, then what she went through was worth it.
“You can’t say you’re cancer-free. I’m in real good health, except for my weight. I feel great except for a few aches and pains, but everyone has those. I just hope and pray that it continues. I hear somebody else has cancer every single day. I hear about it or read about it; it’s uncanny. Since we last talked, my mother-in-law had a brain tumor, but it was benign. She didn’t make it after the surgery. She never woke up again. Every day is a real blessing.”
Tags: Edie Grim
