Today marks 5 years to the day that a routine mammogram changed my life. I reflect on how lucky I am that I was covered for the test when so many in the USA are not. How fortunate that due to scheduling challenges with work travel, I was 6 months late to get the test. Grateful that a radiologist has the eyes of an eagle. You see when he looked at my results, he saw these tiny white spots and had them redo the mammogram with a magnified lens. He found calcified cells, and I learned that I had to have a biopsy. I was in shock; I was reassured by the medical team that 70% of the time these things are not cancer. 2 weeks later I had the biopsy and waited for the results. One week after the procedure, my husband and I were driving to Miami airport, he was heading to our home in Toronto, and I was heading to Puerto Rico for a conference. Halfway to the airport I got the call.
“Ms. Voticky, you have cancer.”
Nothing prepares you for that. Nothing. My husband and I somehow parked the car and went into the airport and found a seat at Starbucks where we just held hands. We kept up the mantra that it was early, and everything was going to be okay. We went separate ways for the weekend, he sat on his plane trying to figure out if he could just walk off the plane, I was sitting in my plane wondering the same thing. I had to give a speech to Cruise executives about hiring. I cried on Michael Jaworski’s shoulder, I didn’t know him that well, but that weekend, he was my hero.
Nov. 3rd, I meet the surgeon. He assures me that the cancer is in-situ and it’s such an early catch that I likely won’t need more than the lumpectomy and some radiation. Dec 3rd, I go in for surgery early in the morning. During pre-op work for the wire-guided surgery, things have changed. I now have 2 tumors; the original one has doubled in size and there is a second smaller one. Post Op I learn I’m HER2 positive and cancer had developed to stage 3.
Weekly Chemo 12 weeks – Herceptin every 3rd week for a year – 16 rounds of radiation – 5 years of medication. I expect to get a 5-year clean bill of health in January, but let’s be clear; there is no cure, I have cancer and am in remission. Every person who has been diagnosed has cancer, they are never without that shadow. For me it was a gift, if I had the test on time in April, it wouldn’t have been there. It gave me the opportunity to slow down and think through what the next chapter, however long it may be, would or could look like. I chose to start to work for myself. I chose to start my company because I want to work in an environment where trust and fun are paramount. I work for and support clients who value what I do. I work every day to ensure everyone feels valued, and their contributions are recognized. I’m one of the lucky ones and I’m grateful every single day.
Find a local Breast Cancer organization where you can donate, or volunteer. 1 in every 7 women will be diagnosed. That number is getting worse not better. MXA is supporting Amy Beck who is walking for a Cure on Oct 6th. If you are able, please donate here, it’s way past the time for us to find a cure!
