Breast Cancer Warriors - Ileana Machado
Exactly a year ago (10-28-20), I woke up with the day already planned. At 7:00am I was going to have the annual mammogram, then go to work and leave at 1:30pm for a hair appointment (I asked for the hours 😊). Little did I know that life had others plan for me. I did my mammogram and waited until the technician asked something to the doctor. Then, they told me, "the doctor wants to do a sonogram." Then, I had to wait again. Around 8:00 the doctor showed up. “Ileana both technicians have seen and confirmed something suspicious. We are going to talk with your doctor. The hope is that this is not cancer.” And he left… just like that… he tossed the bomb and left me there. I do remember saying I hope it is not. Then, I went to the parking lot to contact my doctor and for 15 minutes I cried non-stop until I think I was dehydrated. What I did next? Drive to Alabaster. I showed up to work and then yes, I leave for my hair appointment. Because maybe this was all wrong. Sadly, it was not.
I had a biopsy. The result came came back not that clear. On November 11, I had my first surgery. So, another plan crashed, cause I was planning to celebrate my birthday (Nov 15), not being in recovery. On November 16, around 2:00pm I received the call from the Dr.'s office. I have cancer. No sugar coating, no where are you, no come tomorrow to the office. Just right there in the Alabaster handicap parking listening to the reality. I went back to my chair, thought for a couples of minutes and called back.. “I need to see the doctor ASAP”. Next day I was in the office. And then the worst part.. calling my family. How in the world I was going to tell them??? We had a video conference and without too many ornaments, I told them. Silence and tears, but I was so strong. It was just a shield, but they needed to see me strong. Many questions, my sister told me.. “I am going to send Mom with you.” My reply.. “for what? I plan to keep working, I don’t have the mass anymore. There is COVID. We can't put her at risk. She can't come. Everything is gonna be ok.”
Fast forward, I had a second surgery plus radiation treatments. I rang the bell and here I am stronger than ever. The mammogram “caught” it “on-time”. Cancer is scary, but I decided to fight it. I fought every day with the “what if..”. My message to you.. go and do your check-ups. Statistically, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. I was the one in my family.
