Note: In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, The Walton Tribune is sharing the stories of local residents who have bravely battled this disease. We hope their personal battles will inspire others who are dealing with similar ordeals. The following is shared by Debra Klingman.
There are four words a woman never wants to hear- “You have breast cancer.”
On Feb. 20,2023, my husband and I heard those exact words. The emotions that ran through me is something I have never felt before. The questions I had kept me awake at night.
I was diagnosed with estrogen driven stage 2 breast cancer. April of 2023, I underwent a double mastectomy. I would need chemotherapy and radiation.
The rest of 2023 I was in the hospital five different times, I encountered infections after infections, diagnosed with sepsis shock three times, and underwent six different surgeries. The incision on my right side healed perfectly. The left side incision got infected and created a wound site. The wound completely closed in May of this year.
Chemotherapy and radiation are complete. Reconstructive surgery is scheduled for early next year.
If it was not for my monthly self exam I would have never found the lump. I cannot stress how important the monthly exams are. Even if you find a lump, do not push off going to the doctor. My cancer could have quickly turned into Stage three cancer if I had ignored it.
When I was diagnosed, I came up with a word to describe my breast cancer journey. DASH, was the word. When you die, on your obituary it will list when you were born, then a DASH, followed by when you die. Fill that dash with everything you want to do. Places you want to go. People you want to see. Make those memories. Your support group is what brings you through the good days but also the bad days.
I will never be able to express how thankful I am for my support group.
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