October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. How does this affect me? It was in May 2011 that I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What a disaster that was!

I had my routine mammogram. I went faithfully — every year. I know that you are allowed to go two years, but that was not my policy.

I waited in the room off to the side of the mammography suite. I was still in my pink paper garment. The doctor who read the scan walked in. That was unusual. He told me that I had a suspicious mass in my left breast. It was like someone punched me in the gut. I had been with my husband when he was diagnosed, and it had not been good. The doctor told me the mass was only about a centimeter in diameter, but it was suspicious. He told me to make an appointment with my primary care physician, then see a surgeon. I followed his advice. The spot was in a place that I would not have felt until it was very large.

Although I was thankful that the technician found it, I was scared. What did this mean for my health care?

I was alone. My husband was gone. I told no one of my diagnosis. I had a trip to Georgia scheduled. I asked him about how much of a hurry I was in. He told me that he did not think I had to cancel the trip. Still, I told no one.

What a weight that put on my shoulders! I made my appointment with the surgeon for after I returned. I had to wait an extra week because the doctor was on vacation the next week. I went on the trip and still told no one. I roomed with a friend and had a wonderful time.

We were gone over Cinco Di Maio. I remember that I had the most delicious coconut filled cake that day. I chose to eat my dessert instead of lunch. We were having a big dinner that evening so that was fine.

After I was home, I told my children. I needed help getting to the doctor for my appointment, then to the hospital for surgery. I needed their support. They were there for me. They both went with me to my doctor appointment. Then, my son took me for my surgery, and my daughter brought me home.

I still had no answers. Although they felt it was suspicious, they did not know. I went with my daughter and granddaughter to Pittsburgh. My granddaughter was under a doctor’s care there. The doctor told me he would call with his diagnosis. I gave him my cell number. We went down, and came back without word.

I stopped at my son’s home to let them know what was going on. My phone rang. The dreaded diagnosis was in. It was cancer. I needed an operation the following week.

Now that I had answers I began to tell people. I recall that I went down to Don and Diedra’s and told them. I did not want them to hear it from someone else. I also asked for prayer in church. I told my church family about the surgery.

Following the first surgery I was scheduled for a second surgery to check my lymph nodes. The doctor told me I would know the results of that before I left the hospital that day.

Thankfully, there was no cancer in my lymph nodes. I would have six weeks to heal then would have radiation. No chemo was ordered. They felt they had it all and just wanted to add a layer of protection with the radiation.

The only glitch in the process was that I turned out to be allergic to the pad I had to lay on during the radiation treatment. After that was determined, they put towels over it to protect my skin.

I had thirty-five treatments ­– one every day. I finished with that on my birthday. My friends celebrated with me that day as we enjoyed lunch at the golf course.

Each and every time I go for my mammogram, I am anxious. Last year Don was in the hospital and I had to go alone. I was thankful there were no problems to tell him about. I will never forget the day he got out of the hospital. The look and the hug I got from him was just what I needed.

Thankfully, I am a survivor. If you have not had your mammogram yet this year, make that appointment and keep it. It just might save your life as it saved mine.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.