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›› Fearless Females: Mona M. Harris
I had a lump in my breast since some time in 2007 that I put off on getting checked out because it didn't "hurt". Listening to girlfriends say "well you know women get cysts in our breasts all the time..I'm sure it's nothing if it doesn't hurt." Finally I went to see my primary doctor in July of 2008 before a planned trip to Las Vegas. He immediately suspected cancer and by this time it was the size of a golf ball. I was sent to a surgeon the following Monday and within days was diagnosed with breast cancer on July 10, 2008. Later after biopsies, I found out I had HER2 Positive breast cancer, which is a more aggressive type and more resistant to treatment with a shorter survival rate. I had a mastectomy of my left breast on July 22, 2008. To the glory of God my lymph nodes were normal, which meant the cancer had not spread...this shocked my surgeon and oncologist. I returned to work 2 weeks later, worked for one week and was then hospitalized with blood clots in my right arm..the side my port was inserted. I began chemotherapy the following week in August of 2008. I was put on Taxotere and Cytoxin along with Herceptin, one of only two drugs that exist today to help fight HER2 Positive cancers. The first chemo session was long...and the aftermath was ugly...weakness, raw throat, no appetite, frequent trips to the bathroom..body aches..neuropathy...and 20 days after my first treatment my hair began to fall out in large chunks...it was suggested that I shave the rest off. I was 35 years old at the time and a mother of 4 children, 3 girls and a boy ages 17 to 2 with my son being the baby. After several months of treatment and painful Neulasta shots (to boost white blood cells) I finished my last chemo sesson on 12-12-08. I returned to work January 5th and was nervous about coming back after being out for so many months. This was the day I also found out that my PET Scan came back free and clear...cancer free. I found an old high school best friend on Facebook. Come to find out we both were breast cancer survivors! Sonja Smith...now last named Johnson...my best friend in high school, was like a sister to me when we were neighbors. We chatted online and exchanged numbers and vowed to never lose touch again. She told me how she had been diagnosed in 2007 and finished chemo in February of 2008 and went into remission. Unfortunately her triple negative cancer returned around October of last year. Sonja had no worries, though it had returned and spread to some of her organs she sucked it up and went on to another cycle of chemotherapy. She continued to be a friend, mother and wife. She went to conferences in support of breast cancer and the movement to find a cure. By July she was no longer working because of the neuropathy in her legs and her decreased vision. On Sunday on March 1, 2009 my Mom passed away in front of me. I didn't understand why I fought so hard to survive only to get better and see this but Sonja and I finally hooked up after she texted me. She let me know her cancer had spread to her lungs, liver and brain. There really wasn't much else they could do other than keep her comfy and she was now in hospice at her parents' home in Lorton, VA. I went to see Sonja on Monday, August 17, 2009. I had my very last Herceptin treatment on Friday, August 21, 2009. Sunday I called Sonja. Her dad answered and said I'm not sure if she passed or not. 10 minutes seemed like forever...when I got there her eyes were half open...I spoke softly to her and let her know I was there...and that I loved her..I saw her eye roll around a bit...I felt that she heard me...moments later there was no more movement. Sonja lost her battle on August 23, 2009 at the age of 37. Although there is a 50/50 chance that my cancer will return as well I am determined to fight until I am no longer able and continue to pray for a cure of this horrible disease. |
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