Karen-Barrow

Karen-Barrow Image

Cont.

..but this one particular year I hadn’t. Because the hospital couldn’t get in touch with me to schedule my overdue appointment, they sent someone to my house to remind me, which may have been a lifesaver as it was with that mammogram that the tumor was discovered.

Upon learning about the tumor, my life began to change drastically. I remember going to a family gathering and that’s when I told my children that I had breast cancer and not to worry because everything was going to be all right.

As I went on day by day I never gave up. The cancer was found in my left breast, then the doctor found something in my right breast, but it wasn’t cancer, so to keep me from worrying I had both breasts removed. I had the surgery on October 13, 2011, which was when my breast was reconstructed using my own skin. God was on my side. He answered all my prayers by letting me come out without any scars on my body.

I underwent chemotherapy treatments from December 22, 2011 to March 19, 2012, and radiation treatments from April 19, 2012 to May 23, 2012.

It’s only through the grace of God and my support team, which includes my daughters and my family and friends that stood by my side, that I was able to undertake this journey.

Now I can proudly say I’m eight years cancer free!