In celebration of National Survivor Day, Mary-Anne Brabander, a 33 year cancer survivor and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure participant, tells us her story.
Mary-Anne at the Run in 2007 wth her daughter, son, grandchildren and husband.
In early April 1977, I was almost 30 years old. I was a wife and the mother of two small children. My daughter was going on 6, and my son was 7 months old. I had just had his 6 month check-up where my doctor had discovered a mass in my right breast. He didn’t want to scare me. However, he suggested I have it looked at and made the appointment with the surgeon at the clinic in Montreal.
For three weeks I tried not to think about it, and I started to wean my son… Just in case. I also prayed a lot. Quietly. Privately. Sobbingly.
Three weeks later, after an hour with Dr. Norman Belliveau and a lot of machinery, it was told it was a cyst and could safely be removed by needle biopsy in the office. It was done there and then. A few days later, the pathology came back negative. Oh the elation! The tears. The joy.
Summer came, and the lump returned in late June. Again, I went to the clinic, where another biopsy was performed with the same result. I was told by Dr. Belliveau if it came back, he would do a tissue biopsy in the hospital. Sure enough, in spite of all my hopes and prayers, the lump returned. I was admitted to hospital on August 4. The biopsy was performed by my surgeon on the next day, a Friday (can’t remember what I had for lunch today, but I see that day and its events as clearly as if I was going through it again!). Before the surgery, I had signed a consent form to remove the breast if cancer was found. When I awoke, I remember hearing a helicopter and being told when I asked a young man had been in a motorcycle accident and had arrived at the hospital. All I could think was, “His poor mother!” Moments later, my surgeon arrived by my side, took my hand and cried. He was a dear, kind and loving man who hated having to tell a young woman she had lost her breast to cancer. I remember saying, “Good. It’s over.” I slept for hours after that.
When I woke up, my husband was there with flowers and tears. He said, “I love you.” It was all I needed to know. I have never looked back. I have raised funds and walked in the “Run” each year. I even served on the fledgling Board many years ago.
I have never let myself dwell on what some consider a mutilation. My husband’s love of me and my body never once let me down, and my children have been a source of joy, aggravation, tears and great pride. Now, there are four beautiful grandchildren to whom I am Nana, and they fill my life with the knowledge that my job is not yet done. And I want to see it through.
I was so very fortunate. The cyst was malignant, but tiny. Dr. Belliveau was caring and devoted to the care of the women in his practice. I did not undergo any kind of therapy, and life moved on. I never had time to wallow or to think what might or could still be. I went for my check-ups and still do.
The only advice I could offer if asked would be: “Don’t dwell on what happened. Don’t feel sorry for yourself. You still have arms and legs, and you can still see the sun. Be thankful. A positive attitude is the best way to win over this disease. Don’t let it down by letting negative feelings get in the way.”
Sincerely,
Mary-Anne Brabander, a 33 year survivor.
Join Mary-Anne and help us create a future without breast cancer. Register now for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.