My name is Pam Hart and I am a 7-year survivor of breast cancer, but more importantly, I am an activist in the battle to fight a disease that affects 1 in 7 women in America.

The true meaning of "CAT Scan"
It was while relaxing with my cat during an evening in the winter of 2001 that I experienced severe, unexpected pain when my pet cat crawled up onto my chest for her regular head scratching. Earlier, I had received the results of a mammogram that I had taken a month before – the results of that mammogram were negative, leaving me what would turn out to be a false sense of security. At the advice of my doctor, I made an appointment with a surgeon who recommended an immediate biopsy. It was then that I was informed that I had a massive tumor in my left breast that was flattened into the wall of my chest, making detection almost impossible*. The results of the biopsy would reveal the worst: the tumor was malignant.

The surgery
Because of the aggressive nature of my disease, I elected to undergo a radical,
bi-lateral mastectomy and lymph node removal under my left arm. The surgery and biopsy of the actual mass would later reveal the seriousness of my disease: stage III breast cancer - or more precisely, Infiltrating Ductal Carsinoma. 3 out of 19 lympth nodes that the surgeon removed were found positive for cancer. Early on I elected to undergo immediate reconstruction with expanders during the mastectomy surgery. That decision would save me from further surgeries.

Survivorship
After eight chemotherapy treatments and seven weeks of radiation, I began the slow road to recovery that nearly every cancer survivor experiences – intense pain, emotional turmoil, nausea, weakness, a sever bacterial infection, baldness, edema, and more.



But as the days, months and years would pass, every day represented a day of diminishing side effects, improved physical and emotional strength, and the hope of long-term survivorship.

THRIVING
I have learned a lot through my journey. Today, I continue my role as wife, mother of two grown children (with a grandson on the way!), as well as Survivor Organizing Team member of the City of Corona Relay for Life. I also started my own small business after my five-year check-up, and am the proud owner of FlutterbyCaps.com, where part of my product line includes hand-knitted caps for chemotherapy patients. Now that goes well beyond surviving…that's FLOURISHING!



*While my tumor was rare and virtually undetectable at the time by mammography, I encourage every woman, of every age, to get a periodic mammogram and breast exam. -Pam.