Jacqueline Hundley Bracey

Cont.

Hundley Bracey. I am a child of the King!

Mid to late summer 2003, I had my annual mammogram and as always, I remember being a little anxious but not fearful. After taking some pictures, the technician told me not to get dressed. She returned and stated that the radiologist had ordered an ultrasound. After the ultrasound, I was informed that I could leave and that my primary care doctor would receive the results of the visit. Several days later I received a call from Dr. Geller, my primary care doctor, who stated that he wanted me to see a surgeon about the results of the mammogram and ultrasound. He gave me the name and number of a surgeon and indicated that he would be contacting him also to inform him that I would be calling for an appointment. I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t remember the name of the surgeon; however, when I called the
office, they were expecting my call and made an appointment within the week. Normally I don’t discuss routine doctor appointments with my husband, but that
evening I shared with George that I had an appointment with a surgeon about my mammogram results. His first response was: “Why? Is something not normal? When is the appointment? Do I need to go with you?”

Trusting my God, I was not afraid, but I did begin to think maybe this could be something serious. I told him the doctor was only
going to review the mammogram and the ultrasound at this time. During the review, the doctor stated we should follow up in six months and see if
there were any changes. My appointment was on a Friday morning and Dr. Geller had instructed me to call him afterward. I related what the
doctor said, and Dr. Geller stated he needed to speak to him for more details.

Monday morning, I received a call from the surgeon who said, “I have been thinking about you all weekend. Dr. Geller and I have discussed your
test results and have determined that you should have a biopsy and remove any and all foreign tissue at the same time.” I was scheduled for
the next week and a Lumpectomy with biopsy was performed. It was determined that I had Stage 0 breast cancer (called ductal carcinoma in
situ [DCIS]) and I would need six to eight weeks of radiation. Special thanks to my nephew Roderick Richardson who worked at Yale and met
me each day at the radiation center before treatments for support. For those eight weeks, he was my comforter.

Asking questions and participating in the decisionmaking process is a part of my nature and understanding that “Be an advocate of your own
body” as Sisters’ Journey would say, I would begin my next steps.

I arranged my radiation treatments to be the last appointment of the day so I could work, commute, and still attend treatment five days a week for eight weeks. (That was not easy, but we made it happen.)

After doing some research about taking tamoxifen, I discovered there was no data to determine whether or not it made a difference relative to post menstrual women. I needed to find out more information. Dr. Geller arranged for me to meet with Dr. Andrea Silber, who shared the current data about breast cancer in
general and tamoxifen specifically with me. I opted not to take the drug.

I requested the results of my annual mammogram when taken, no matter how long it took, to avoid the anxiety of waiting for the results in a few days. I feel
that waiting after annual mammograms cause women so much anxiety/emotional distress. We should petition to have the results as part of the examination.

I chose to be private about my breast cancer diagnoses, not hiding, but sharing it primarily with my family and close friends. I have remained relatively
healthy. My motto is, “I don’t chase illness, it has to catch me.”

“Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be” – Sonia Ricotti

God promised us life and I believe Him.

Lord Jesus thank you, for giving me such a vibrant community of family and friends to experience life with. Especially, Linda White-Epps for her
vision; Dawn White-Bracey, my “Daughter in Love”; my husband George Bracey; sons Kent and Dean Bracey; and my grandchildren Kendrick,
Dominique, Kaylin and Donovan – the ones who have come alongside me to love, encourage, support, and uplift me through all the twists and turns
of life.

Congratulations Sisters’ Journey for 25 years of being that community of friends!