Pinktober Profiles: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For my part in raising awareness, I’m going to profile a survivor, previvor or caretaker each day. As part of the breast cancer community, I’ve been blessed to hear so many stories of strength, perseverance, hope, struggle, survival, and courage. To me, those stories bring real awareness about this disease. The women I profile this month honor me in allowing me to write their story. Please join me in celebrating them and share their stories widely!
October 1, 2014
Susan Naumuk was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer when she was 59 years old. In February of that year, her mother had passed away. Soon after, she noticed a lump in her left breast as she was getting dressed. Busy mourning the loss of her mom, Susan ignored the lump. About 2 months later, with no change in the lump, Susan knew it was time to consult her doctor. She recalls seeing her doctor’s face and knowing the news wasn't good. In a 2-week time frame, Susan had a biopsy, was diagnosed, and met with a team of doctors.
Awareness Tidbit: Diagnosis can be a whirlwind. Cancer patients work with teams of doctors to make life altering decisions about their care plan, and quite often feel overwhelmed. The 2-week time frame Susan experienced from biopsy to starting chemo isn't unusual. Some advice for the newly diagnosed? Bring a friend, family member or reach out to a local support organization so that there is someone else in the room with you and the doctors. You’re bound to miss hearing some important information if your shocked ears are the only ones listening in the room.
Susan remembers losing her hair after her first treatment. She was lying on her couch one Saturday night, running her hands through her hair when it started to come out in clumps. Her response was to call her friend Trisha. A few days later, all of her friends came to her house, cut what was left of her hair into a Mohawk, cried and laughed. For Susan, it was a great way to cope with this significant loss.
Chemo was hard on Susan. She was sick all the time. Managing to keep down a cup of soup was a victory. Even so, Susan was determined to stay active, not letting chemo keep her closed up in her home. After chemo came surgery, followed by 31 days of radiation. Susan tested positive for the BRCA2 genetic mutation last year, which she says influenced her decision to have a bilateral mastectomy (removing both breasts and all the breast tissue). With her doctor’s recommendation, Susan chose not to undergo reconstructive surgery. 6 years later, Susan is under the constant supervision of her doctors. Because of her “triple negative” status, Susan sees her doctors every 3 months. She finds their constant supervision comforting, because she knows they are always looking out for her.
Her advice to people diagnosed with breast cancer: “Talk to your friends. Be part of organizations (like Lump2Laughter). Get all the support you can. This is a hard journey but you can get through it. We can all learn from each other.” Susan obviously heeds her own advice. She is very involved with local organizations that support breast cancer survivors. In fact, Susan was responsible for sending me a Lump2Laughter care package shortly after I was diagnosed. Coincidentally, we were put in touch with one another by a mutual friend (Thank you, Sarah Butler!). I think it's fitting that Susan is the first woman to be profiled here because Susan was the first woman from the breast cancer community to share her story with me, to encourage me, and to let me know it was all going to be ok. Thanks, Susan! 
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