Afflicted with Breast Cancer

by Lourdes Policarpio

There are life-changing moments for us all, when at the snap of a finger, life suddenly changes. For example, when you learn you are a millionaire by winning a lottery game – or at the other end , when you learn you have a dreaded ailment, like cancer. Ecstatic moments like winning the lottery are not really a test of the human spirit. But traumatic moments are. For example, the thought of being afflicted with a dreadful ailment can drive a person to negative emotions of bitterness and excessive anxiety – even despair. Without emotional and spiritual support, a person can crumble.

Everything started gradually enough for me. One day, I thought of having breast tests taken for me and my daughter Ria. We had been monitoring my daughter years ago for cystic masses and although she was cleared, I thought it was best to have a check up now. I could not remember our last breast exams. (I learned later it was one and a half years ago.) It must have been my guardian angel whispering to my ear, urging me to go and have these breast exams.

The results of my daughter’s breast ultrasound were normal – negative finding. But my mammogram results stated “sonographic correlation suggested for further evaluation of the focal density in the right breast”. Should I undertake ultrasound exams to find out? It seems I wasn’t really alarmed because looking back, it took more than a month before I would take the ultrasound tests. My mammogram was dated Feb. 6 while my ultrasound (breast sonogram) was dated March 18. But this time, the results of the ultrasound really got me worried. It stated my right breast was in the category of “intermediate suspicion for malignancy”.

I was worried and flabbergasted. My family did not have a history of breast cancer. In line with family history, I wouldn’t have been surprised if I would have a heart ailment or diabetes. But breast cancer was farthest my mind. Two tests would still have to be taken to determine the certainty of me having breast cancer. The time interval of around ten days during which I was not certain of having cancer or not was certainly a time of reflection, prayer, and anxiety.