Karleen Brennan, formerly of Warsaw, is a registered nurse who now lives in Goshen. She submitted this as a guest column.

It all began in August, 2016.

After a routine, annual mammography, followed by a 3-D ultrasound, a Breast Diagnostic Center (of Ft. Wayne) physician showed  me an approximate 3 millimeter area of tissue that appeared to be cancer.  It would require needle biopsy for confirmation.

On the way home from testing, God heard everything:  My fears, anger, sadness, insights, hope, and acceptance.

My husband George and our three children, made aware of the news, were resolved, constant sources of support through the entire journey.  I can do this!  (I had a choice?!)

We are a team, and will walk this together!

My care was arranged at the Goshen Hospital Center for Cancer Care, and the process began.

After a needle biopsy, lumpectomy, and submission of 15 lymph nodes to a laboratory, I was found to be in Stage 3.  A larger tumor (not palpable before surgery) was found, and 14 of the 15 nodes submitted to lab, tested positive for cancer.

The final treatment plan:  Four, double doses of chemotherapy (including steroid use to enhance chemo effect), were to be given two weeks apart.  This would be followed by 12 weekly, single doses of a different chemotherapy.  Finally:  33 doses of radiation.

Good times!  I’ve got this!

In October, treatments began:  First dose was easy, the second involved nausea.  No problem.  Use anti-nausea drugs. The third dose caused increased nausea and exhaustion.  Bring on the medicine!

On a rainy, slate gray, bone chilling, November day, as I absently ran my hand through my hair, it all fell into my hand.  More fell out; it would not stop!  George took me to a local shop, where my head was shaved on request.   Looking into the mirror, I finally understood the reality:  I had cancer!  And there was no going back.

The weeks following were a blur.  Increasing nausea, decreasing appetite, sleep craving, injected medication five days per week to restore immunity so that I could receive another dose of chemo.  It was not easy.  By now, most days were filled with vomiting, diarrhea, appetite and weight loss, prolonged sleeping, and little to no immunity.  This meant no visitors allowed.

A short stay at Goshen Hospital happened due to some complications.  I soon felt a bit better.

Finally home, I received a final, reduced dose of the double drugs.  Thank God!

After an approximate three-week break, 12 weekly chemo treatments began.  These were a comparative cake walk.  Chatting with other patients during infusion was encouragement for all of us.

Through all infusions, admission, and downtime at home, George did it all:  cooking, cleaning, assisting personal needs, listening, and in his spare time, lent humor and support to the other patients in the infusion room.  He was a rock!

During late spring this year, radiation started:  33 treatments in all.   Feeling well, I drove myself to treatments.  The last was completed in June.  I hugged all the technicians, and rang the bell in the lobby of the center three times; a long standing tradition of victory!

I am told, and believe, that I am free of cancer now!

There is not enough vocabulary to adequately communicate my deepest gratitude for the top-notch, cutting-edge care received at the Goshen Cancer Center.  A superb team made it possible to get rid of the awful aberrancy called cancer.

Education was direct and complete.  Care was individually based, careful, and thorough.  

Family, friends, and colleagues offered prayers, laughter, and love.

Friends brought all manner of gifts; each intended (It worked!) to help.  When unable to have visitors, they called, and came by when it was okay again.  Some listened (so appreciated!), and let me tell about tough times.  All helped me find a light at the end of the tunnel.  To all of you who were there, I will not ever be able to write my thanks adequately, but will try to pass these gifts on to others.  Thank you.

And finally ladies AND GENTLEMEN:  In this season when so many consider improvements of health for the coming year, please, do a monthly breast self-exam; same time, every month.  See cancer.org. for instruction.  If you find something, see your doctor now.  Do not wait.

And ladies, do that mammogram annually.  It is a little uncomfortable, but the ten minutes it took to do mine, saved my life.

Merry Christmas!

Karleen Brennan, formerly of Warsaw, is a registered nurse who now lives in Goshen.