It was July 3, 2019, just after my 50th birthday. I had missed my mammogram the year before and was a little anxious to check the box. I had always been cystic with benign lumps that were never anything to worry about. Often times, the radiologist would aspirate the cysts and call it a day. For some reason, I actually thought that my cystic breasts protected me from ever getting breast cancer. On July 3rd, my radiologist informed me that he saw something that was most likely a benign fibroadenoma, but he wanted to biopsy it just to be thorough and complete. I remember walking out of his office and somehow just knew that he would be calling me with the news that I had breast cancer. And yes, that phone call came on July 8th. Getting that phone call was somewhat numbing. And then the thoughts of who would I go to for the surgery started to flood my mind. I started recalling every woman who had ever shared their story of battling breast cancer. Did the surgeons take my insurance? Would I be taking Chemotherapy? Would I be taking tamoxifen? What stage was the cancer? Did I mess up by missing my mammogram last year? So many what-ifs. I remember telling my family and watching them all become hysterical. Everyone had an opinion, and every opinion was different. Thankfully, my radiologist and I had established a good relationship and he was able to talk me off the ledge. He told me to stop playing Monday Morning Quarterback. Today, July 8th, we think of the future and not second-guess our past. Who is to say that if I had had a mammogram the year before, that it would have been positive? Also, if I had had a normal mammogram, maybe I would have skipped this year? So, on July 8th, 2019, I stopped looking to the past and only thought about my future. I had an 11-year-old daughter whom I needed to be strong for. I did not want her worrying about me. I did find it easier to be open and honest with my family. Children tend to sense when parents are not telling them things. I found that it was easier to tell my daughter and my family what I was planning and going to do rather than have them guess or fear what I was hiding from them. It is also important to remember that you have to be your own advocate. Doctors will suggest treatment options, but you must really dig deep and figure out what is best for you. Yes, it is good to have family and friends around you, but it is also important to realize that they will all have opinions on your treatment plans, and that can sometimes become confusing and overwhelming. 

Dr. Jennifer McCoy is a practicing podiatrist and enjoys spending time with her now 16 yr. old daughter. We are so grateful she was willing to share her story and perspective.