Wendy VanValkenburg

Back in December of 2007, I was involved in an auto accident. The force of the seat belt tore all of the ligaments on my right side from the breast bone to my back. I had a "bump" above my right breast that wasn't going away. When I went in for my annual exam at my GYN, he asked me what it was.

My reply, "It's a seat belt injury from a car accident back in December". Well, he said I needed to get it checked because it shouldn't be there 4 months later. I went in for a mammogram and ultrasound. Of course, I knew it was nothing to worry about. I'm only 37 years old and there is no cancer at all in my family.

Well, a few days later, I went back into the doc and he said, "...it could be cancer". I said, "No way. It's just a seat belt injury." The next step was to see a surgeon. Because of the location of the lump (above my actual breast), he wanted to take it out rather than just do a biopsy on it.

Two days later, he called me and said he had some bad news. The lump they removed was a malignant tumor. I had breast cancer. Wow!!! Why me? What did I do so wrong in my life to have this happening to me? I'm only 37 years old. I have two daughters to take care of.

So here I am 6 weeks later and 2 surgeries down. I have one more surgery to get a second lump out of my breast before I can start chemotherapy. I am hoping to start that by August so that, by the time my next birthday rolls around, April 1st, I can be cancer free and recovered. I would like to say to anyone out there who has been diagnosed, my journey is just beginning but I know I am going to beat this. I have a strong spirit. I cried a lot at first, and still do at times. I am so tired of being poked with needles; I cry just thinking about it. I will beat this for me. I have too much to live for.

I still ask why, but I think it is just part of my journey in this life.

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