JANICE KILGORE
Survivor Since:  1998
Home Town: Lubbock
Age: 60
Occupation: Dispatch Department, Lubbock A-J
Family: Husband Gary; 3 children; 3 step-children; 12 grandkids; 2 great-grands
Hobbies: Yardwork, crafting, sewing

"Today I Feel Happy & Positive!"

'Keep a positive outlook and never lose hope'

I will never forget 1998. It was a year of getting in touch with my feelings and realizing that things you never think will happen, do happen. It renewed my belief in prayer and made me realize my own mortality.

One evening in March, I discovered a small lump in my left breast. We immediately knew that I should have it checked out. My yearly checkup was due in April, but the nurse scheduled a mammogram right away. Surprisingly, the mammogram did not detect the lump behind my nipple, but since it could be felt, the technicians did a sonogram, which did indeed show a solid mass.

I was referred to a wonderful doctor, Gerald Woolam, who scheduled a biopsy. I checked into the hospital for day surgery early in May. I really didnít want to worry, but I wondered if I would receive bad news.

I felt fine after surgery, and with approval from Dr. Woolam, my husband, Gary, and I continued with our vacation plans and rode our motorcycle to Missouri for a week's visit.

When we returned home, we began calling to find out the results of the biopsy. The day I went in for my post-op checkup, I got the news... the biopsy showed some irregular cells and the pathologists thought it best to take more tissue for further study. My second surgery was scheduled - a partial mastectomy with lymphatic dissection.

The morning following surgery, Gary and I were waiting for Dr. Woolam to make his rounds and release me to go home. When he came into the room, he said he had been waiting for the pathology reports. Neither of us were prepared for what he had to say. Tests showed that the cancer cells "appeared" to have spread to one lymph node. I don"t remember much else he said. The room seemed to be spinning. I remember feeling scared and wondering how this could happen when we had done everything in a timely fashion.

My first chemotherapy treatment was on June 4. I continued to work during the six months of treatment. I missed a few days during my "pump week" but the rest of the time I worked regularly. It was good to work. People were so supportive of me and I was told a prayer group held special prayers for me weekly. I prayed daily. I asked for strength and courage to get me through. I asked for strength and understanding for my family.

Oct. 27, 1998 was my final chemo treatment, at least it was the final "pump" week. I had one more week following that for the booster. No one can imagine the sense of relief I felt when the pump was unhooked for the last time. After another round of scans and x-rays, I had the tube removed from my chest. Following chemo, I immediately started radiation treatment. My radiation began just after Thanksgiving.

Six months following my last radiation treatment, I felt great. My hair grew back; I had eyebrows and eyelashes again. It seems like a long time ago that I went through all that I did. Maybe that is a good sign. It was definitely an experience I will never forget and I hope I never have to do it again.

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