In Her Words...

Patient Story by
Cindy Ayure
The Rose Sponsored Patient

Until recently, cancer, like crime, was something that happened to other people and breast cancer, like strokes and Alzheimer, something that happened to older folks. I found out the hard way that neither holds true and we are all susceptible to what is a very real part of life for many families.

My personal experience with cancer began on October 15, 2008 when I felt a lump on my breast. That day, I was confident that it would be an inconsequential inflammation. After all, I was only 31 years old. I set up an appointment a few days later to visit a doctor at The Rose at my husband’s insistence believing that the results of my exam would be normal.

My first visit to The Rose for a mammogram and ultrasound was in itself an experience. I did not know what to expect, but knowing that it was a clinic for breast cancer that offered financial assistance to women like me had given me a vague notion that the level of care and compassion would be less than I could expect in high paying facilities. I was astonished to find that I was wrong and with the passage of time extremely grateful for the personal attention I have received during each and every one of my visits, particularly from my navigator, Sally to whom I owe the excellent medical attention I have received at both The Rose and MD Anderson.

The results of the mammogram and the ultrasound were not clear so the doctor recommended a biopsy. On Dec. 5, 2008 I was told that I had breast cancer, but more importantly I was told that I would receive the assistance I would need, from wigs and advice to the coordination and the transfer of my care to MD Anderson.

Since then, I have been on Chemotherapy, with all that it implies. My hair is gone, my stomach too often rebels, and there are days when it is a challenge to get myself moving. And yet, I find that I am very grateful for what I have and what this journey has brought to my life.

I am often in awe of the amount of support I have received from everyone, even strangers who stop me in stores and public places to give me hope by sharing their own experiences with me. I am the focus of multiple prayer groups and the beneficiary of countless acts of kindness from co-workers and friends, all of which have made a tremendous difference for me and my family. The prayers, I have no doubt, have given me the determination that I need to go on with my treatment and the acts of kindness serve as a constant reminder that I am not alone even through this difficult part of my journey. I have found that as disheartening as it can be to face the realities of cancer, there is a tremendous amount of support that gives me strength and hope.

I know that the road before me is difficult and long and at least for me the hardest part is the unknown. No matter how much medicine has advanced and how much people want to help me, I know that every case is different and there is no way for anyone to truly know what tomorrow holds. Still, I feel strong; I know I am not alone and I know that there is a future that awaits me beyond this illness. I have a husband, two sons, family, work, and countless things I want to do. For now, I just need to take it one step at a time knowing that God is with me every step of the way.