Tell Your Story
Everyone’s journey through treatment is different and how people deal with emotions vary. If you would like to connect to others who are going through similar situations, feel free to share your story. Sharing your experience may help others who are going through the same journey.
monta limthongviratn said,
June 1, 2010 at 8:57 am
Dear Sir or Madam:
I was asked by Debbie Rimmele, an oncology nurse clinician, nurse manager, to share a story since the month of June is the National Cancer Survivor’s Day.
I hope that my story will bless to readers.
The bottom is my story.
Blessings,
Monta Limthongviratn
A Journey Through Breast Cancer
Monta Limthongviratn
When Life Turns Blue
“Is there anyone in your family that had cancer?” my primary doctor asked me.
“To my knowledge, none of them,” I replied her. “I lost my grandparents and uncle with diabetes. My mother now has it.” Then, I decided to ask her what my pathology report was.
She replied that it was not good. I asked her if it was positive. She noded her head. Then she asked me, “How do you feel?”
I was quiet for a moment. I felt like I was hit by something heavy. My heart cried to God, “O Lord! I have breast cancer.” But a voice came to my heart, “Be strong Monta and have a positive attitude.” I replied to my doctor with that word.
She gave me a smile and said that she was glad to hear that. This attitude would help me go through this hard time. I asked her what I should do next. She referred me to see a surgeon and an oncologist. She also helped me to make an appointment to see a surgeon on that evening.
When I was driving back to my home, a tear dropped. I prayed to God about my new health problem which could cause emotional pain to my family, and I was worried how I could tell my youngest son that his mother had breast cancer. I had to let him know that afternoon before I would go to see my surgeon.
During that time, my husband was in Thailand. My older son was in college, and he stays at the school dormitory. So, I told myself that I would let them know later.
When I arrived home, I asked my youngest son if he knew the meaning of a positive result from a pathology report. He noded his head to show that he understood
My youngest son is a quiet guy. This news made him quieter. However, the next day at the dining table, he asked me if I could remember one of his friends whose grandmother also had breast cancer. She is still surviving after five years. I was so glad to hear that, and I know with my heart that he has hope and a positive thinking for me. And this is the way he encouraged me.
When I called my older son the next day, I could not let a word for him. He is a sensitive and soft guy. He had tests which would be soon. I just told him to study hard and take care of himself. Less half an hour, he called me and asked me why I did not tell him. He had just learned from his father who phoned him in Thailand. Then he cried.
Good News And Bad News
When I met my surgeon, she recommended me to do a lumpectomy since my cancer was small and in stage I. I told her that my family and friends who are nurses suggested me to have mastectomy. They were afraid of it spreading. My surgeon did not agree with them. She said that the statistic of surviving rate of both surgeries are the same. She saw her patients who had breast removal and they were not satisfied with a new breast since they had deal with it every day. Reconstruction will not give back with a natural breast. It may cause emotional distress.
I decided to go for lumpectomy. However, when the pathology report came out, it was not successful. I got good and bad news. The good news is the disease is not extensive to involve lymph nodes from the breast. The bad news is the disease has extended to near the margin. At this point, my surgeon allowed me to have a mastectomy. Before the surgery, she referred me to see a plastic surgeon to learn about breast reconstruction.
“Do Not Be Afraid, I Am With You”
When I met my plastic surgeon, he explained a breast reconstruction could be performed either using implants or my own tissue. I was interested in using tissue flaps since it came from part of the body. To use implants, probably has to have two to three more surgeries for enlargement which he did not recommended for me.
However, when I talked to my oncologist and sister who is a nurse, they both said the same thing that I would have a larger wound and it would take longer time to heal. My oncologist did not want me to wait for longer for chemotherapy. I also learned later that by using own tissue, if there was a poor blood supply to the flap tissue; part of the new breast could be lost. Also, infection and poor wound healing were possible problem. This made me worried. Then, I asked my husband, “Should I have it done?”
He said, “Yes!” I asked him his reason to do it. “It is psychological, “he replied.
I could understand what he meant. There will be sometime later on, I might fell low, down, depressed,… etc., if I saw that I was not normal like others. I had no breast!
I talked with my sister. She supported me to do it, “But do it for yourself, not for others,” she said.
Then I prayed to God, “I can’t make a decision.” I felt burdened and depressed, especially on the day of the surgery, one hour before leaving home to the hospital. I did not tell anyone in my family about it since I did not want them to worry. I knelt and cried, “O God, I am scared. I do not know what I was afraid of.” I cried so hard. Then, a small voice came to my heart, “Open the Bible, open the Bible.”
When I opened it, it fell on Jeremiah 30:7, 10-11. There, God told me, “Fear not, I am with you, to rescue you.”
With this word, I was calm and could get up, and I went to the hospital.
A Quick Recovery!
After the surgery, I was under the care of my plastic surgeon for five weeks. At the end of the first week, he made a comment that I had a fast recovery. I thanked God quietly. My wound was completely healed, and I was ready for chemotherapy.
A Journey Through Chemotherapy
My oncologist told me that I would receive four cycles of treatment and what side effects I would expect.
I began my first cycle of treatment on the first week of May. Before the treatment began, I was nervous since I learned that one of the side effects is hair loss. I prayed and asked God to spare my hair. But God answered me in an opposite way.
The answer from Him came on one Sunday, it was on the 13th day of the treatment. I talked to a friend who is a third year medical resident at University of Chicago Hospital. We talked about the chemo medicines which I have received. Again I told him what I prayed. He was not agree with me, “Sister Monta, they are dead cells.”
I cried inside of me, “Oh!”
I knew at that time what God wanted for me. I was reminded of Jesus’ teaching on prayer in Matthew 7:9-11, “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
I understand this Jesus’ teaching since I am a mother. “Lord, I let my hair go,” I prayed.
Not All Are Bad!
When I received the first treatment of chemotherapy, It was so tough for me. I got most side effects. Besides mouth sores, fatigue, taste change, nose bleeding, weight loss, I had long bone pain, joint pain, headache, rashes all over my body, starting from the top to the bottom. I also had chest pain. It was like my chest was pulling apart. When I talked to my oncology nurse, she suggested me to see my plastic surgeon since she was afraid of fluid retention and inflammation on my reconstruction of a breast.
When I met my plastic surgeon, he did not see anything wrong with it. He said probably the symptoms came from my chemo medicines, “Hang on it,” he encouraged me.
When I was at the end of the second week of the treatment, I felt better. I was glad that I could do so many things, for example, house work. Beside that, I could lead children at my church to sing a special song on Mother’s Day, and I teach Thai class every Sunday. I also lead singspiration and shared a passages from the Bible at my church. I joined a Yoga class too.
Before the second treatment began, I met my oncologist. I told her what I got from the first treatment. “It sounds terrible. You should not get all of that,” she said. Then she changed one of the medicines. This one was not so bad. It has less side effects, except I threw up a lot on the first day. I could not eat anything. I went to bed with an empty stomach. However, I got strength later on. As I am sharing this journey, I am on the seventh day of the second treatment.
Looking Forward
As I look back to see the past four months since I got the pathology report, I see my struggles and sadness. I also see God’s grace and mercy on me. His love works through my life. He changed my illness to be bearable. And with my weakness, His power has shone through as He has said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power” is made perfect in weakness,” (1 Corinthian 12:9).
I am now thankful for what God has done in my life. I really thank Him that He grants me to see life has more meaning. I agree with the statement from the National Cancer Institute, “Cancer might rob you of the blissful belief that tomorrow stretches into forever. In exchange, you are granted the vision to see each day as precious, a gift to be used wisely and richly. No one can take that away.”
I really understand the pain in those people who have cancer and my heart goes to them.
My life now is more dedicated to my family and my church service. I thank God for my family, here and in Thailand, also St. Paul Thai Church members for their support. They are my family too. Their love shines through my illness. “She is my inspiration,” my older son told one of my friends at church.
Special Thanks to: Sitara Sharif, M.D.; Primary doctor
Karen G. Louie, M.D.; Oncologist
Debbie Rimmele; Oncology nurse
Jafar S. Hasan, M.D.; Plastic surgeon
Michele L. Kosik, M.D.; Consulting surgeon
The Hinsdale Hospital surgery teams
Allison Hohlman said,
June 8, 2010 at 10:36 am
Here is a story from our patient Sue:
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on January 18, 2010. At first, I thought what a way to begin a new year. Not only was I turning 40 this year, now I had cancer. In February, I had a mastectomy of my right breast. Following was chemotherapy. The idea of chemo scared me. I remember how I could not sleep the night before my 1st treatment. When I arrived and met the nurses, who were going to give me the medications, the compassion, the care they provide to each and every patient made me feel that I too can make it through this process. As I write this today, it is my last AC treatment, and I’m half way done! I am thankful for all the wonderful people I have met and the care I received.
-Sue
Allison Hohlman said,
June 8, 2010 at 10:38 am
Here is a story from our patient Kim:
What has kept me going through my SECOND round of treatment…The CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS Hockey Team….That’s Who! I used to watch them many many years ago on channel 9 when I was a little girl…way before I ever knew or understood what cancer was…How could I know back then what one has to go through…just to stay alive? TV took them off the air and I went on…then a few years ago…WOW…Here they were again…The Chicago Blackhawks were back on TV!!! They were good, then last year they got better, and now, this year, they will be the BEST! They are actually in the Stanley Cup Finals, and it couldn’t be at a better time for ME!!! Since my cancer has metastasized, it’s been a very rough road, BUT, when I know my Blackhawks are playing, my spirits get lifted….I don’t cook (yeah, we just plan on a pizza), and I even plan on what I’m going to wear. I may be 51, but I dress up in all my Hawks gear, whether it be a Jersey, or a Hawks T-Shirt and matching lounge pants….oh, and I can’t forget my Hawks bracelet, earrings and socks…..just to watch the game at home in from of my little 19″ TV. Then, when the Blackhawks score a goal, I’m standing up with my “rally towel” singing that “special” song they do…my neighbors must think I’m crazy (especially when hubby is working and I’m home alone….The Magnitude of it all! I feel sooo alive and rejuvenated when I know the Hawks are going to be on. I just forget everything….even if it’s only for a few hours. Everyone should find that “something” they enjoy…if it makes you feel ALIVE, then no matter what it is, it is not silly, and don’t let anyone tell you different. YOU need this “something” and I need this “something”…and More Important, WE ALL NEED SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO…
-Kim
Allison Hohlman said,
September 13, 2010 at 10:40 am
Patient story about participating in a clinical trial:
http://www.keepingyouwell.com/News/PatientStories/tabid/4480/ctl/ViewContent/mid/5175/PatientStoryID/223/Default.aspx
Kathy Holmberg said,
June 21, 2011 at 7:11 pm
These are great and it is good to hear women who can have a positive outlook. I was pretty much led to believe I would only have about a year to live. I am now going into my 6th year. I believe God has a plan for us all I was able to get many of my women employee’s to get their mamograms before I had to give up work. I believe the positive attitudes of all the nurses and doctors over in hinsdale clinic had a lot to do with passing hope to all of us.