Race City: Philadelphia, PA
Lorelei's Story:
I live in Haddon Heights, NJ with my husband of 11 years and two daughters, ages 6 and 7. I work for an accounting firm in Philadelphia, who happens to be a sponsor of SGK. I was always active, playing a lot of sports growing up and took up racquetball in my late 20's - up until I was 6 months pregnant with my first child. I started having my mammogram at the age of 35 because of family history with breast cancer. My aunt, who is 57 years old now, was diagnosed at age 40. In January of 2005, I went for my annual mammogram and was sent home. As it happens every year, I receive a letter from the radiologist stating that my mammogram looked abnormal and would I come in again to redo the mammogram. Usually within a few minutes, they come in and say it looks fine and I am sent home. So, I redid the mammogram and sat in the waiting room, anticipating the technician would tell me all looked normal and I could go home. Instead, I sat there waiting longer than usual and I started thinking to myself, they must've found something this time. Jeannie, the technician, came back with such a scared look on her face that I will never forget. She said the radiologist is here and would like to speak with me. I remembered asking her, is everything okay? She said, it's probably nothing. She led me into the room where my "pictures" were already hanging, from last years' to the present. The doctor introduced himself and very calmly and deliberately started to explain what he was looking at. Of course, my mind went into a complete haze as I tried to concentrate. All I remember was him saying that he saw something, pointing out a place that wasn't on last year’s, and saying I needed to see a specialist. As I stood there dumbfounde - I can only imagine what I looked like - he asked if I knew of anyone. I said I didn't and he referred me to a specialist.
I ended up seeing a breast surgeon who took a biopsy in her office. My husband was with me at the time and said we would receive the results in a week. One week later, on Monday, January 24th, she told me I had breast cancer. I remember being on the phone, staring out the window, unable to breathe. She told me to hang up the phone, go up to my room and take 20 minutes to cry, scream, whatever I need to do, then gather myself up. Then I would come in to see her the next morning ready to listen to what my next steps would be. I hung up the phone to face my husband looking at me. We both stood there, holding each and crying. The first thing I said to him was, Oh my god, I'm going to die. And what's going to happen to Ciera and Delaney (my daughters were just 4 and my youngest would be turning 3 in February). Who was going to take of my husband? So many emotions came through me.
I did exactly what the specialist said. I knew she needed me to be composed to face what was ahead of me. I went through 6 months of chemotherapy, lost my long, beautiful curly hair and had a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery. I can't say it was hell, but it was sure close to it. But we managed.
I pulled through because of my husband, family, friends and MY will to survive. I am an upbeat person who wouldn't let this disease win. I was stronger for my friends and family when they couldn't handle it – how ironic is that?
My doctor at Fox Chase Cancer Center was incredible and so was the staff! I don't know how they do it day in and day out. I remember them saying they wish they had more patients like myself. I do believe that a great outlook/attitude has a lot to do with it, along with a fantastic support system that I had.
Today, I am a 2 and a half year breast cancer survivor and the Ambassador of the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen. What an honor it is to be a part of this organization. I am grateful, happy and feeling healthy! I love what I am doing for them and for others. I hope my message comes through loud and clear - this disease can be beat, you can lead a normal and happy life again! And I hope to relay this message for as long as Susan G. Komen wants me to.
The two people I want to give special thanks to are my husband Brian and my good friend Rachel. They were the most helpful in getting me through all of this. My husband stepped it up with the kids, the chores, etc. and Rachel did the same. She helped put together a meal calendar, notified all of my friends, family and neighbors without me even knowing about it and had meals delivered to my house 3 times a week for 6 months. She helped with my children, coordinating with my husband to make it as normal as possible! She was the one who was with me when I finally had to shave whatever was left of my hair. We cried together and laughed. She even made a pillow with my hair. My husband came to every single doctor's appointment AND chemo treatment. He was my rock!
