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My Journey


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In August 2002 I found a lump in my right breast.  I had an ultra sound and a biopsy done.  They said they would call me in three days with the results; I received a call the next day.

The intern that called said the doctor needed to see me in the office the next day and would not give me any details over the phone.  He greeted me right after I checked in with the nurse the next day; he went over my chart and looked lost for words.  I helped him out; by telling him I already figured my results were positive.  He seemed so relieved.  I told him when I got my three day phone call the next day that was a dead giveaway.

My surgeon came in the exam room shortly after and we went over the game plan.  He told me how it was going to be pretty simple.  Little did he know, he was dealing with Theresa Johnson, nothing simple here?

I was scheduled and had a lumpectomy in November 2002.  My surgery found three positive lymph nodes plus margins for more cancer.  The type of cancer I had was her2 neu pos the most aggressive around and at the time they had no cure for it.

Every time I think back on it I realize how wonderful my doctors truly were.  They spoke of clinical trial and such, I never worried.

Shortly after Durham had a bad ice storm and my treatment was on hold for awhile.
I went on chemotherapy every two weeks from February 2003 to April 2003 to shrink the tumor some.

In June I was scheduled for surgery- another lumpectomy- all set to go but the surgeon did not like the way my chest x-ray from pre-op looked so he ordered a CAT scan and told me to come back the end of the week for the surgery.  Soon as I got in my driveway from Durham he called my cell phone and told me to come back to the hospital.  The CAT scan showed something and I will be staying.  

The CAT scan found a blood clot in my leg.  I was fitted with a temporary filter and blood thinners.  They did the surgery three days later, but I opted for a mastectomy, I could not take another lumpectomy with margins.  

The mastectomy found 4 out of 25 nodes positive.

I had intensive radiation therapy every day from August 2003- October 2003.  An infection was starting just as therapy was ending.

A cure for her2neu was on the market and I started it once a week from December 2003 to March 2004.

That was the beginning of my journey-  

By the Grace of God I am able to tell you about it today October 15, 2008 CANCER FREE!



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