Patient Stories: Breast Cancer

Memorial Hermann The Woodlands

Dale: Promise of the Future
Breast cancer taught me to be thankful for every day.
   

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my heart may have skipped a beat, but my life didn’t. I have two young sons and being involved in their lives is very important to me.

By receiving treatment at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, I was able to overcome cancer while continuing to do what I love – spending time at home with my family and going to work each day.
   

I found out I had breast cancer through a routine mammogram in October 2000. My doctor called me after the appointment to let me know something in my breast needed to be investigated further.

Just before Thanksgiving, I saw a local surgeon who performed an outpatient biopsy. The results came back positive for breast cancer, so I was referred to Memorial Hermann.

Because I live in Conroe, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands is close to my home. That made the entire experience easier and more convenient.
   

To treat the cancer, I had a partial mastectomy followed by radiation treatments. I wanted to work and keep up with my regular routine, and having treatment so near to my home made that possible. I was able to go to work every day, go have my treatment, go home for the night and return to work the following morning.

The partial mastectomy was my first-ever surgery, and of course I was a little scared. But the staff was there to hold my hand and make sure my experience was as positive as possible. They were awesome. They told me it was normal to be afraid and let me cry if I needed to. They patiently and completely explained each stage of my treatment.

Now that I am free of cancer, I am thankful for every day I am able to spend with my sons or working in my garden. I know I am lucky to have received excellent medical care so close to home, and I am forever grateful.