Color Me Butterfly

In August 2006, I felt a small lump near my armpit.  Because of a sinus infection, I initially dismissed it as a swollen lymph node.   Weeks passed.  The lump remained.  Several people told me I was being “dramatic” and that it was just a cyst or fatty tumor.

Fast forward to April 2007; a happy newlywed just settling into a new home in a new city.  Armed with health insurance, my husband suggested I go to the doctor to have the lump examined.  At age 80, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  In hindsight, I think that fear kept me from going to the doctor sooner.

Within four days of that first doctor’s office visit, a biopsy confirmed that the tumor was malignant.  I was devastated.  Slowly I came to realize that even as a thirty-five year old mother, newlywed, and entrepreneur, I was not above cancer.  As my shock wore off, I began to accept that my life was going to be altered entirely. 

On May 10, 2007, I had a lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection.  The surgeon removed 23 lymph nodes.  16 tested positive for cancer.  When the drainage tube was removed and the scar began to heal, I began to get a little stronger everyday.  My future holds radiation and/or chemotherapy.  Winning this battle will take a lot of faith, courage and fortitude.  My primary regret is having waited eight months to go to the doctor.  Early detection could have prevented the spread to the lymph nodes.  Early detection can save lives!

Crystal Brown-Tatum
Shreveport, LA
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