Nancy
Jacobs is by occupation a Legal Assistant for an established law
firm in Houston, TX. She is a Mother to a beautiful son named
Tyler (age 11), an avid fitness enthusiast, participating in 18
marathons, and more importantly - Nancy is a breast cancer
survivor. She is one of the strongest and most courageous women I
have come in contact with. I thought it best that she tell her
story in her own words. I hope her story brings you
encouragement, inspiration, and passion to be brave and be aware!
When were you first diagnosed with beast cancer? What was your
reaction? and What treatment have you gone through?
I was first diagnosed in 1976 when I was 32 - shocker. Never saw
it coming (although I probably should have - my mother was
diagnosed at 52 and then again 10 years later ).
I made the rounds of a variety of doctors and specialists
(surgeons, radiologists, oncologists) - 11 in about 3 weeks. The
first surgeon called me on my birthday at work to tell me that his
biopsy was NOT the definitive surgery & that he still needed to
get clear margins [on the tumor]. When I asked what this would
mean in terms of my physical appearance (remember, I was a very
young woman), he used the word "deformed" 3 times in the next
sentence (as in "I can't lie to you - you will be deformed; it is
a disfiguring surgery and your right breast will be deformed.") As
you can imagine, it took hours to stem the tears. I determined
then and there that even if this guy was the best surgeon in town,
I wouldn't let him do a lumpectomy over my dead body. All doctors
need to be aware of how their words will be perceived by someone
under extreme duress - physicians, work on your bedside manners!!
At that point, I thankfully was referred to M.D. Anderson and
consulted with Dr. Marvin Romsdahl in their Breast Conservation
unit. What a wonderful man. I was truly blessed to have known him
(he died 2 years ago in a bizarre accident at his home). He
treated me as if I was his own daughter. I knew I was in good
(God's) hands. On 2/5/86, I underwent a segmental mastectomy of
the right breast(really nothing more than a lumpectomy with clear
margins), which was followed shortly thereafter with 6 weeks of
radiation therapy.
In 2002, I was again diagnosed with 3 tumors, this time the left
breast. I originally felt one of the lumps when I was out running
- the breast felt different, and caused me to feel for something I
already knew was there. The mammogram and ultrasound at the time
were both negative and I was told that although the lumps could be
felt on a physical exam, they did not show up on any diagnostic
tests. Two years later, what was my "normal" annual mammogram
showed what I knew would eventually turn up - three tumors in the
left breast. All three turned up positive on the ensuing biopsies.
I was no longer shocked - I knew it was coming. The surgery was a
modified radical mastectomy of the left side with an axillary
sampler of the lymph nodes with reconstruction that took over a
year to complete. The cancer had not spread to the nodes and no
chemotherapy was believed to be necessary.
The most recent occurrence was this past April (2007). Again,
the right breast. Large lump involving the ariola. Mastectomy
of the right breast. As much as you tell yourself that breasts
are pretty much decorative (except for breastfeeding), nothing
really prepares for their loss. Even the second time around is
hard - easier than the first time, but still psychologically
devastating. This time I was advised to undergo a genetic test
for the BrCa 1/BrCa2 gene since my family history was positive
for breast cancer. The test came back positive - more bad
news . I carry the BrCA 1 gene mutation. I don't know whether
that makes me feel better or worse - since I've always been
vigilant about diet and exercise (in fact, had just finished a
22-mile training run in 1986 when I found the lump), at least I
feel absolved that it wasn't something I had failed to do. Genes
are genes, pure and simple. No amount of exercise or diet is
going to change that.
How do you feel overall with this being your third diagnosis?
I feel that God has presented me with the opportunity to wake up
and realize that life needs to be lived NOW, not waiting passively
for it to change for the better. This was my wake-up call to get
on with things I had been resisting. When people say, "Life is
short" - believe it!
Have you been involved with any support
organizations, etc. for breast cancer patients? The
only seminar I've attended was the American Cancer Society's "Look
Good, Feel Better" program, which teaches you how to apply makeup
(which is a challenge when you have no eyelashes or eyebrows!) and
put on your wig. Also put me in touch with some really beautiful
women (actually a girl of about 19!) whose beauty had nothing to
do with their outer appearance. Other than that, I prefer not to
wallow in the "why me?" mentality and just to go out there and
live life as fully as I can daily.
Any advice to women? Try to keep your chin up.
No one said this was going to be easy - but try to go easy on
yourself. Women seem to be their own worst enemies - we are always
the doers, the caretakers, the SuperWomen. Now is the time to cut
yourself some slack and give yourself a break. Listen to your
body. Take care of yourself. Pamper yourself (or better yet, let
others pamper you, rather than the other way around.) Lend a
helping hand to someone else in your shoes - the support will do
both of you good.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Keeping a positive attitude and not allowing myself to fall back
on my treatment as an excuse.
What is the one thing most people do not know about you but
would be very surprised to find out? That I consider
this whole experience to be a blessing which has allowed me to be
grateful for every day. Most people say that but they have no idea
until you're up against it.
Anything else you would like to add? Please let
people know that if they need a shoulder, mine's always
available!
Be Strong! Be Brave! Be Aware!
PIYOLET
- 30 Day Wellness Program
