Pam stage 3 b breast cancer survivor's Page

My name is Pam Hart and I am a 8-year survivor of breast cancer, but more importantly, I am an activist in the battle to fight a disease that affects 1 in 7 women in America.

The true meaning of "CAT Scan"
It was while relaxing with my cat during an evening in the winter of 2001 that I experienced severe, unexpected pain when my pet cat crawled up onto my chest for her regular head scratching. Earlier, I had received the results of a mammogram that I had taken a month before – the results of that mammogram were negative, leaving me what would turn out to be a false sense of security. At the advice of my doctor, I made an appointment with a surgeon who recommended an immediate biopsy. It was then that I was informed that I had a massive tumor in my left breast that was flattened into the wall of my chest, making detection almost impossible*. The results of the biopsy would reveal the worst: the tumor was malignant.

The surgery
Because of the aggressive nature of my disease, I elected to undergo a radical,
bi-lateral mastectomy and lymph node removal under my left arm. The surgery and biopsy of the actual mass would later reveal the seriousness of my disease: stage III breast cancer - or more precisely, Infiltrating Ductal Carsinoma. 3 out of 19 lympth nodes that the surgeon removed were found positive for cancer. Early on I elected to undergo immediate reconstruction with expanders during the mastectomy surgery. That decision would save me from further surgeries.

Survivorship
After eight chemotherapy treatments and seven weeks of radiation, I began the slow road to recovery that nearly every cancer survivor experiences – intense pain, emotional turmoil, nausea, weakness, a sever bacterial infection, baldness, edema, and more.



But as the days, months and years would pass, every day represented a day of diminishing side effects, improved physical and emotional strength, and the hope of long-term survivorship.

THRIVING
I have learned a lot through my journey. Today, I continue my role as wife, mother of two grown children (with a grandson), as well as Survivor Organizing Team member of the City of Corona Relay for Life. I also started my own small business after my five-year check-up, and am the proud owner of FlutterbyCaps.com, where part of my product line includes hand-knitted caps for chemotherapy patients. Now that goes well beyond surviving…that's FLOURISHING!



*While my tumor was rare and virtually undetectable at the time by mammography, I encourage every woman, of every age, to get a periodic mammogram and breast exam. -Pam.









A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every Flutterby Arts item is donated to the American Cancer Society to help fund research to defeat all types of cancer.

Thank you, and blessings to our survivor friends!
- Pam