GLORIA REYES
Survivor Since: Aug. 22, 2003
Home Town: Lubbock
Age: 61
Occupation: Financial Advisor, Joe Arrington Cancer Center
Family: Husband Rudy; five children (in order of age) Louis, Gina, Lealani, Rudy Jr. and Roger.
Hobbies: Exercising 3 or 4 times a week, taking my grandchildren to the movies.
"Today I am Blessed and Optimistic!"
'Have your screening mammogram...'
August 22, 2003 - I had an appointment for an annual mammogram. Every year since the age of 38, I have this exam done, and it has always come back negative. Not this time. I was told, "you probably will need to come back or your doctor will call you."
Dr Lamkin's nurse did call. I needed to have an ultrasound of my left breast because the mammogram was abnormal and they needed a closer look. Two days later I received another call from the doctorís nurse; we need to schedule a guided biopsy. The next day I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my left breast.
I heard the words but they went over my head. I heard "you have a tumor in your left breast," but I didnít hear the words "you have cancer." The nurse asked if I understood what the doctor said. "Yes, I have a tumor and I need surgery to have it removed." The nurse said, "you have breast cancer and surgery will be needed. You will also need to start chemo treatments and probably radiation treatments. Can we get you anything call your family for you?" I said, "No, just a glass of water."
I should have known better, but I was in denial as are many of our patients when they hear the word cancer. Not me, this can't be happing to me.
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