KATIE GILBERT
Survivor Since:
October 2006
Home Town:
Lubbock
Age: 54
Occupation:
Client Relations
Family: Husband Rick and son Brandon
Hobbies: Cooking, golf, candle making

"Today I am Blessed and Joyous!"

'I didn't have time to think much, just move.'

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006. Iíve always been perfectly healthy. The only time I had been in the hospital was for stitches as a kid and when I had my son. So when the radiologist came in the little room and told me it was most certainly cancer, I wound up in kind of a daze. I immediately called my husband, Rick, and told him the outcome of the sonogram. He was as stunned as I was. I wanted to wait to tell our son, Brandon, until I was sure of the diagnosis. He took it hard, but stayed steady and strong.

Completely taken back, I didnít have much time to spend in self-pity. I had to report right back to Dr. Nall, my GYN. He immediately scheduled me to see the surgeon, Dr. Ted Allen. No biopsy was necessary, as the radiologist and surgeon were certain it was a cancerous tumor. Dr. Allen scheduled me for surgery Friday of the same week. I just couldnít believe how quickly everything fell into place. Diagnosed on Tuesday, surgery on Friday. That was truly a blessing because I didnít have time to think much, just move. Wednesday night did give way to a real good cry. I can honestly say this was the only time I broke down during the next 18 months. I turned the whole ordeal over to the Lord that night, and I rested in His peace from then on. God was faithful to deliver me from what could have been months of anxiety.

In Dr. Allen's skillful hands, the surgery went wonderful. The anesthesiologist must have been one of the best, because I remember waking up feeling great, but dying for a cup of coffee. Next was the port placement for chemotherapy infusions, which started in November. After four rounds of chemo and then radiation, I was scheduled for herceptin infusions for the next 12 months. I finished my treatment this past April under the amazing expertise of my oncologist Dr. David Close who managed to put me at incredible ease and put things into perspective. Iím so grateful for his gift of compassion and his kind spirit. He gave me such confidence I felt I could take this thing on and conquer the big "C".

It did start out a bumpy road though. I was so worried at the idea of losing my hair of all things; Iíve got cancer and I was worried about losing my hair, hmmm, the funny things that run through your mind. Well that turned out not to be such a big worry after all. I didnít have to mess with hair in the morning and I found a very cute wig! But, the chemo did make me very sick. I wound up with infections and nausea that sent me back and forth to Arrington. But with the support of family and friends, and most of all the Lord, I was able to do more than just endure; they helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel and were an amazing source of strength and support. I couldnít have done it without them. Rick who is my best friend and my rock, along with Brandon, who I know was scared, but never let me see it, were there championing for me. They, along with my best girl friend Karen, and even my friend Angela from church became a part of my "chemo days" - coming along and keeping me company during my treatment. My church, Fellowship Church Lubbock, and my friends all rallied around me with prayers, food and encouraging cards. They are such an important part of the recovery process.

As of now, there are no signs of cancer. Cancer is a life changing event, but it has made me a much stronger person. Iíve since received several phone calls from other women who have been diagnosed. I try to be as encouraging as I can and let them know that I will be there supporting them however they need. Itís one of the many positives that I took from my experience.

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