078: Brenda Farris twice survived breast cancer. A mastectomy followed her first diagnosis.

In a most unusual way, Brenda Farris of Yuma, Arizona learned she had breast cancer.  She went to Palm Springs, California to visit a friend's breast cancer clinic.  The clinic had a thermography machine, a relatively new device in 2005.  Brenda thought she would give it a try.    She said one strips from the waist up and when the device is activated, it acts like a powerful air conditioner.  The parts of the body that remain warmer will show up in the thermogram.  Brenda wasn't anticipating any problems, but when the clinic's surgeon entered the room, he had an ashen look on his face and told Brenda she had breast cancer.   While at the surgeon's office, Brenda also underwent an ultrasound, and the surgeon said before any surgery could be done, she needed to undergo a mammogram, which revealed not one but two masses.  Knowing how large the masses were, Brenda felt her only option was to have the cancer removed.  So, she underwent a left side mastectomy with reconstructive surgery.   Brenda Farris said the physical part of her recovery was tough, but the emotional piece was even tougher.  She felt like she had lost a part of her identity, but she would have to live with the results of this surgery for the rest of her life.  Brenda adds that today, there are other non-surgical options for those with her diagnosis, and she urges to thoroughly research all their options.    As a post-surgery option, chemotherapy was considered and rejected.  That's because chemo works on fast-growing cancers and Brenda's was a slow-growing cancer.    She began to feel close to normal after about ten weeks.  At that time, Brenda thought not only about herself, but about how she could be a source of encouragement for other women diagnosed with breast cancer.    While her path trended in a positive direction, incredibly, six years later, Brenda noticed a lump in the area of her first diagnosis, between her left breast and her armpit  As the lump grew, Brenda thought the reconstructive bag that was part of her reconstructive surgery had been tweaked.  It didn't bother her, which is why she didn't act on it right away.  It evolved into a red mark sticking out of her body.    She went to a plastic surgeon in Yuma.  He looked at it and immediately sought a biopsy, which showed that the cancer had returned to the area of the first diagnosis, but right on top of her ribcage.  There was concern that it might have metastasized into her ribs or her lungs.  Multiple tests followed, MRIs, CT scans and PET scans.  The good news was that in six years, the scan had not spread anywhere else and that it was operable.   It also turned to be good news that during those six years, Brenda had led a healthy lifestyle where diet, exercise and sleep are concerned.  She believes that because of her healthy lifestyle, it played a major role I her second cancer diagnosis being limited to one area.    It was depressing after her second surgery, but she felt she had overcome cancer once and she could do it again.   By way of advice, Brenda Farris is convinced that just as a healthy lifestyle with respect to diet, exercise and sleep helped her, it can help anyone diagnosed with cancer.    Additional Resources:   Kickin' Cancer: www.kicking-cancer.org