As the saying goes, your health is your wealth, yet so many of us take it for granted. When a life-threatening disease like breast cancer sweeps in, we will be tested. Just ask Janet Judd who survived, and is willing to share her inspirational story of fear, faith and the fierce devotion to her girls that saw her through it all.
A busy working mom of seven year old twins, Janet found a lump on her breast at the age of 35. A mammogram and biopsy had confirmed her worst fear. She had breast cancer.
“I was terrified. I was so scared that I would not live to see my girls grow up. I was terrified.” she revealed. “My doctor knew that day that it looked bad.”
The devastating news came with so many tears and fear as she embarked on the long road to recovery. After the initial diagnosis there came a seemingly endless round of tests. “I had a bone scan, CT, MRI, genetic testing, physio, surgeon oncologist, and radiation oncologist,” said Janet. “The care I received at the hospital was excellent.” But, the shocking diagnosis remained. Breast Cancer. the diagnosis. ”
The first step in her treatment involved a partial mastectomy and lymph node removal. “Throughout it all, the hardest part was the fear. It was just awful having to watch the people I love being so scared. There was nothing anyone could do,” said Judd.
With the surgery complete, she faced very aggressive chemotherapy. “I was very sick,” she said. “The chemo was horrible, but I was so happy that I was able to stay in Shawville for this part of the treatment and not have to return to Gatineau. “Doctor Mac and the nurses were excellent,”
She returned to Gatineau for radiation, 25 days of it.
Through it all Janet looked to her friends, her family for inspiration and motivation. In her heart, she knew she could fight it and was thankful that it was her who was going though it and not her girls. “I underwent generic testing which revealed that I did not carry the BC gene. I am so grateful . So, my girls are at higher risk, but it would have been so much higher if I carried the gene.”
Being self-employed, Janet had to get back to work as soon as she could after the treatment. She was tired, but glad to be returning to a normal routine. “I would feel great for a while and then hit a wall. Even though every day got a little better, I have never been the same,” she said.
These days, Janet is looking forward to the ten-year Anniversary and celebrating survival. “I think about it every day. I feel grateful to be living. I decide seven years ago to stop living in fear and just live, and make the most memories. Every day is a healthy grateful day.”
I am so proud to be a survivor. I get to live. Almost 10 years. Later, I am so grateful everyday. My oncologist told me we will celebrate when you are 10 years and I am almost there. I never take my health for granted. I do what I can to be healthy.
Leave a Reply