Having an entire month devoted to breast cancer awareness is a worthy cause. In 2022, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer, resulting in 670,000 deaths.[1] The American Cancer Society predicts that this year, over 300,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer, resulting in over 40,000 deaths.[2] Breast cancer and death are not unique to females. It’s estimated that almost 5,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, with about one-fifth being terminal.[3]
I can attest that having breast cancer is a shocking and traumatic experience — especially when you think you’re an unlikely candidate.
One morning, shortly after I’d completed a marathon, my four-year-old little girl approached my bed crying. As I pulled her under the cover and cuddled her, she told me she had a bad dream but didn’t want to share it. After some gentle coaching, she sobbingly said, “I dreamed you were dead, and we were putting you in the ground.” Though shock waves went through my body, I comforted her with a firm hug, “I’m so glad you told me. I’m right here.” But I knew that something was wrong, the universe was sending a warning.
After we got dressed and I was heading down the stairs, I intuitively touched the top of my left breast and was shocked to realize there was a large lump about the size of a walnut. I was thin, ate healthy, didn’t drink or smoke (for years), and had regular gynecology visits. For these reasons, I’d always blown off the mammograms, and now I was faced with a crisis.
However, death was not an option. I couldn’t leave this little girl or my adolescent son without a mom.
Fortuitously, I had two new friends; the husband was a breast disease specialist. I called his office. The nurse was reassuring, “Don’t worry, almost all lumps are benign.” “I don’t get breast lumps. Something is wrong,” I responded. Later that day, I was given a body scan. When I didn’t hear anything the following day, I called the doctor’s wife, shared the recent events, and asked her to speak with her husband. Within ten minutes, the doctor called and said to come to his office immediately. He showed me x-rays of several tumors and told me the entire left breast was “cancerous.” The next day, a biopsy was performed to determine the type of cancer, and surgery was scheduled in two days with a team he put together for reconstruction and oncology. He suggested a double mastectomy for preventive measures.
On autopilot, I mechanically made decisions that felt right. I declined the double mastectomy because the right breast was cancer-free. As a single mom, I needed to recover as quickly as possible.
Three days later, the surgery was over. I was told that, miraculously, my “margins” were clear, and the cancer was confined to the breast. Though there were subsequent surgeries and procedures for infections and cosmetics, the crisis was over. Against all the doctor’s suggestions, I declined the recommended “preventive” radiation and chemotherapy. I trusted and respected my doctors, but it didn’t feel right to subject my body to toxins when the cancer was gone.
It’s been almost twenty-five years that I’ve enjoyed a cancer-free life due to good physician care, regular mammograms, ultrasounds, and blood tests.
I’ve also been able to use these experiences to help others absorb the shock when receiving this scary diagnosis and who need a helping hand.
Breast cancer is one of the most successfully treated cancers with early detection. Regardless of how young, healthy, or what sex you are, please take this illness seriously.
I share my journey with breast cancer in the hope that it could help someone else. Everyone should recognize that they are not immune to breast cancer. Aside from a healthy lifestyle, regular self-exams, gynecology visits, mammograms, and ultrasounds when necessary are key to early detection. Physicians are wonderful, but we must take charge of our health proactively. I can attest firsthand that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” You have only one body. Love it and treat it with the care that you deserve.
JOIN OUR MOVEMENT TO SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES FROM ADDICTION.
Donna Marks is an educator, licensed psychotherapist, and addictions counselor in Palm Beach, Florida. She has worked with over 6,000 clients. Donna’s struggle with addiction brought her to a worldwide search for healing. She became licensed as a Mental Health Counselor in 1987. In 1989, she earned a Doctorate Degree in Adult Education, then became Certified in Addictions, Gestalt Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Hypnosis, and Sex Therapy. Donna developed an award-winning addiction training program at Palm Beach Community College. She co-owns an outpatient treatment program and serves as a consultant to treatment centers. For 36 years, she has taught A Course in Miracles.
Donna is the author of three books: the multi-award-winning title Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure, and Learn, Grow, Forgive: A Path to Spiritual Success, The Healing Moment: Seven Paths to Turn Messes into Miracles of Love, and her latest fiction, Fortis & Sapiente – A Tale of Two Lovers Who Successfully Navigate the Murky Waters of Love. Donna is a public speaker and has shared her methods with millions of listeners on podcasts and radio shows.
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