Laura Miller is a 79-year-old breast cancer survivor who lives in Jacksonville. She talks about her journey and taking the initiative with regular self-examines that could save lives. She also experienced how much of an “emotional invasion” cancer can be and how to approach it with one's physical and emotional health in mind.
Tell us about your breast cancer diagnosis and your journey to recovery?
I first found out in May of 2002 that I had a tumor, and my doctor was terrific, so he was able to get me in and processed and we were able to take care of it with a lumpectomy.
It was stage one and found through mammography, and after they removed the lump, they saw that all the edges were clean, which was a big yay!
I was then scheduled almost immediately for radiation, so I did not have to have chemotherapy.
I had those daily radiation treatments for six weeks, and of course, now I’m off all hormone replacement drugs.
I had it easier than anyone that I know whether that was because of my family and friends and their support or what, I don’t know.
It wasn’t until several years later that my breast started to shrink, and that’s when I started to have back trouble, which my sister was the one who urged me to get the prescription for a prosthesis to help even me out because my body was leaning so much.
Fortunately, breast cancer is no longer a death sentence, but we do need to continue to have early detection, early treatment, and a support system that never ends.
It’s always an experience for me when every once and a while I talk about this, and I find out that there are usually about three other people in the room who have gone through something similar or didn’t even know that I’m a breast cancer survivor.
If you can’t tell, then I figure my team’s doing a good job of keeping me well-balanced and correctly sized. And I’m not even talking about appearance but just keeping your body balanced. They have special bras out there that can help.
What would be advice you give to women faced with breast cancer?
Make yourself some projects, because you do have some advance notice before you start your chemo. Keep yourself as busy as possible, and I’ve even had friends who kept a journal for that first year and it helped them tremendously.
It’s tough and there’s nothing easy about it because you feel like you’ve been invaded by an unwanted tormentor, and it does things to your psyche.
It’s important no matter what to never forget that womanhood is not made by the size of a breast or the presence of a breast.
I still get my mammograms every year and I check myself, which is so vital because you know yourself better than anyone else. Mammograms and doctors are not foolproof, but you are.
I panicked the first time I did my self-examine, and the doctor said that you have to remember its ok to feel like oatmeal but its not ok to find a raisin. That’s been my guide for about the last 45 years.
It’s a humbling experience and you realize you don’t wait for five-year marks on your birthdays anymore, but you celebrate every day and every birthday.
Also, use a counselor and do not be afraid to ask for some mental health during this, because having someone who knows what their talking about can mean everything. You just need to make a phone call and make it happen.
If you have a dog or a cat, that helps too because they know when you can use some comfort. My dogs have gotten me through some very tears and cheers moments over the years.
Cancer can be something that’s very fast growing, which is why monthly self-checkups are so important or maybe even every time you take a shower. You just don’t want it to sneak up on you, because it will.
And the younger generation is not exempt. Girls, as soon as you get those boobs, started checking them out because this isn’t a game, and it’s something everyone has to do for themselves.
