Carolyn Rogers Jackson

Cont.

the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the day I started looking at life differently. I was 62 years old.

July 2022, I had my annual mammogram. After two weeks of waiting for results, they called me back for more screening – another mammogram and an ultrasound. Now, I’m thinking, WHY? 

I had gone faithfully every year since my 40th birthday. I was told then that I had “dense breasts.” So, in addition to the mammogram, I
would need an ultrasound as an additional layer of screening. Okay, no problem. I went through this process for the next 21 years. In January of 2022, my OBGYN told me that I no longer had dense breasts, so going forward, I wouldn’t need the ultrasound. Turns out, this was not true at all.

So, In July, when I got the call, I returned for my second screening – a mammogram and ultrasound. I was called back to the mammography room for more pictures to get a better look. I went to the ladies’ room while waiting for the tech to return with the “all clear” message. However, when heading back to the room, I noticed the technician, radiologist and a nurse waiting outside the door. The walk down the hallway felt a mile long. I said, “This doesn’t look good!” I heard one of them say, “I’m sorry Mrs. Jackson, but you have cancer!”

All I remember saying was, “What gives you the right to say that?” The room went black. The nurse took my hand and said, “I got you.”        She was very calming and quickly scheduled all the appointments I would need. This was on a Tuesday. By Thursday I was at Smilow having a biopsy which confirmed the radiologist’s report – Stage 1, HER2 negative, ER positive breast cancer!

The following week I met with the surgeon Dr. Zanesky, and oncologist Dr. Pusztai. The plan was to do a left breast lumpectomy. He
suggested I go home and discuss things with my family, I said “Why? Let’s do this and get it done. There’s no reason for this to be in my
body any longer.” They scheduled the biopsy before I left that day.

Two weeks later I underwent a lumpectomy and had two lymph nodes removed. Both were negative for cancer. Then came 16
rounds of radiation. Scary, but I handled it well. I decided to continue working through my treatments and recovery. However, by the
evening, I was wiped out. My goal was to have everything completed by my birthday (December 29) and I did just that.

To God, Be The Glory! I’m currently on Anastrazole and had my first hot flash, which was an unexpected surprise. I’ll get bone density scans every two years to make sure they don’t become fragile. In early 2024, I was diagnosed with a mild case of lymphedema in my left forearm, so I’ve started therapy and will possibly wear a compression sleeve.

I’m one of the fortunate ones. I am blessed with a great support system. My mother Helena was there when I returned home after surgery. My sister Adrienne called every day to check on me. My aunt Violetta stocked my freezer with homemade soups. My children, Dramel & Courtney, my niece Jocelyn and my grandchildren handled my diagnosis in their own way. Thank you to Rev. Dr. Frederick J. Streets, my family and my church family for the many prayers; and to Eileen Williams-Esdaile and Stephanie Burke-Smith, you already know!

With God leading the way, I got this!