By Tammy Cedo
In 1996, when I was 29 years old, my world was turned upside down. That was the year my dad was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a complete shock to our family. To make matters worse, his medical insurance initially refused to approve his treatment, insisting that “men don’t get breast cancer.” It was a frustrating and heartbreaking battle, and we eventually secured the care he needed. Unfortunately, he passed away in January 2001, just five years after his initial diagnosis. His death was devastating, but it also reinforced the need to be vigilant about my own health. I received a screening mammogram after my father was diagnosed and I started getting annual mammograms after his death. For many years, the results were always clear.
In 2014, when I was 47 years old, everything changed. I noticed a strange dimple in my right breast and could feel a lump near an old scar on that side. The skin around the dimple had an unusual orange peel-like texture. Concerned, I scheduled a mammogram. On Monday, July 14, I was informed I had breast cancer. Initially, the breast surgeon discussed a unilateral mastectomy, removing only the right breast. After I explained my father’s diagnosis, the script was flipped, and a bilateral mastectomy was recommended due to the risk of cancer developing in the left breast. Since I did not want to have this conversation again in three to five years, I underwent the procedure at the end of August. During pathology, the doctors made an incredible discovery; they found cancer in the left breast tissue, even though it hadn’t shown up on any scans! Fortunately, the mastectomy removed all the cancerous tissue, but I still needed chemotherapy. As I processed everything I had been through, I came to a striking realization – cancer saved my life. Without my family history and the vigilant screening it motivated, the cancer in my left breast might have gone undetected until it was too late.
The chemotherapy treatments were brutal. With pre-existing autoimmune issues, my body struggled under the strain. The side effects were overwhelming—persistent nausea, fatigue, and debilitating pain and weakness. My hair thinned drastically and stopped growing, leaving me with long-term hair loss that was slow to recover. Now, years later, my hair is finally starting to grow back, and to me it is a triumphant victory, a powerful reminder of how far I’ve come.
Three weeks before Christmas in 2014, I was hospitalized with a kidney infection and sepsis. The doctors told me that if I hadn’t gone to the hospital when I did, I might not have survived until the new year. I was bedridden for days after each chemo session, often passing out from the intensity of the treatments.
Throughout it all, my faith kept me grounded and gave me strength. I leaned heavily on prayer and drew courage from knowing I was not walking this road alone. My family was my rock, rallying around me with endless love and support. Their encouragement and unwavering presence gave me the determination to keep going even on the hardest days.
After finishing chemotherapy in January 2015, it was time to start the reconstruction process. My plastic surgeon recommended a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap procedure, where abdominal tissue and skin are used to recreate the breasts. Recovery was long and painful, leaving me with a 14.5-inch scar across the front of my abdomen, along with several scars on my chest. Unfortunately, after the initial procedure, I didn’t have enough body fat for a full DIEP flap reconstruction, so I opted for implants. The process involved inserting a fill port under my skin, which allowed the surgeon to gradually add saline or silicone to achieve the desired shape and size. Complications with the implants developed and I had to have them removed. I eventually was able to finish the reconstruction process using my own body fat. From start to finish, I had twelve procedures in five years.
The entire cancer journey was incredibly challenging, both physically and emotionally. However, I’m deeply grateful for the amazing team of doctors who supported me every step of the way. My breast surgeon, oncologist, and plastic surgeon were compassionate, skilled, and attentive to my concerns. They answered all my questions and worked tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome for me. I’ve learned how important it is to find your people when it comes to doctors and care teams—not everyone will meet the level of compassion and understanding you hope for, but the right team can make all the difference.
Now, ten years later, I’m doing well. I have most of my health back and can enjoy life with my family. This experience has given me a profound appreciation for every day, and I’m thankful to be here. My faith and the love of my family continue to sustain me, reminding me that I am never alone in life’s battles.
My cancer journey was undoubtedly one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced, but it also made me stronger. In the end, what I thought was my greatest adversary became my greatest ally. Cancer saved my life, and for that, I will always be grateful.