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I write this with a heavy heart, reflecting on the loss of my beloved grandmother. After a courageous yet brief battle with breast cancer, I had to say goodbye. Although her passing wasn’t entirely unforeseen, nothing can truly prepare you for the emotional toll of losing someone dear, especially to such a cruel disease. My grandmother, at 84 years old, was determined not to let cancer dictate her exit from this world. As my brother insightfully remarked, “Cancer may win this round, but Grandma will get to heaven and say, ‘You should see the other guy.’”
Her diagnosis came in February of this year, and she fought with all her might, supported by a devoted team of doctors, nurses, and family. Sadly, it was too late. She had triple-negative breast cancer that had spread to her lungs. Given her age, pursuing chemotherapy or surgery would have only prolonged her suffering. In her final moments, she faded away before her body gave in completely. The thought of not receiving her usual birthday call in August is overwhelming.
My grandmother deserved so much more; she wanted to leave on her own terms. Anyone who knew her would agree that she was a feisty protector of our family. I vividly remember the time I was followed home by a strange man in a van when I was just eight years old. My grandmother was waiting for me when I got home, and after I tearfully recounted the incident, she bravely set out to find the man and his vehicle. Thankfully, she never encountered him.
The type of cancer she faced is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. She was the first in our family to have a known maternal history of breast cancer, and we were all shocked by how swiftly her illness progressed. In light of her diagnosis, I immediately consulted my doctor, who recommended I undergo a baseline mammogram. Fortunately, my insurance covered the screening, despite me not yet being 40. The results were reassuring; nothing alarming was found, although I was informed that I have fibroglandular density, which could heighten my risk. My physician will monitor me closely moving forward.
You don’t need me to share statistics about breast cancer; those numbers mean little until you are personally impacted by such a disease. Instead, I urge all grandmothers, mothers, daughters, aunts, sisters, cousins, and friends: please get your mammogram. Initially, I was anxious about the process, but it turned out to be less daunting than I expected. The screening took less time than a dental cleaning and is usually covered 100% by most insurance plans. If you lack insurance, there are programs available to help you access affordable mammograms.
We owe it to the generations before and after us to prioritize breast cancer screenings. If you’re apprehensive about visiting a medical facility due to COVID, reach out to your doctor to discuss your options. Please honor my grandmother’s memory by getting screened. The emotional pain of losing her is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Current guidelines recommend that women her age get screened every other year. She did everything right, but cancer is indifferent, and we must continue to fight against it.
Sincerely,
A grieving granddaughter
This post was originally published on July 4, 2021. If you’re interested in related topics, check out our other blog posts, such as this one on home insemination. Also, consider visiting Make a Mom for expert information on home insemination. For further insights, WebMD provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
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- Importance of mammograms
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- Mammogram guidelines for women
- How to prepare for a mammogram
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In summary, the loss of a loved one to breast cancer is heart-wrenching, and it highlights the importance of regular screenings. My grandmother’s story serves as a poignant reminder for all women to prioritize their health and get mammograms, as early detection can save lives.
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