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Editor's note: In honor of the month of October of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Fremont Tribune has released a weeklong series entitled "Think Pink" that tells the stories community members who have fought or are currently fighting breast cancer. Read the articles already published on fremonttribune.com.
Brandee Johnson is just starting his trip.
Earlier this month, breast cancer was diagnosed in an Oakland woman.
Now she will examine the available treatment options as she and her doctors get more results.
In the meantime, she appreciates the people who have offered their support.
"I had no symptoms," said Johnson, whose cancer was detected at an annual mammogram in September at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point.
After the mammogram, Johnson's doctor called her back for an ultrasound and a biopsy.
Johnson, who is 43, learned that she had learned on Oct. 3 that she was suffering from invasive ductal carcinoma.
She has been put in touch with a medical team in an Omaha hospital and is working with her to adapt a specific treatment from test data.
Johnson had planned to go today to discuss the surgical options and an MRI she had just undergone and to undergo a breast genetic test 9 and an OncoDX test.
"The genetic test, to my knowledge, is to determine if I have other markers in my genes that could possibly predict a mutation later in my life, where they would need to take more into consideration until the pancreas or two points – if I needed to keep an eye on that for the future, "she said.
Johnson's genetic tests were negative, which she says is a good thing.
"What they tell me is that they do not know why the cancer came up; It's a bit of a coincidence, she said.
A aunt from Johnson had breast cancer.
But no one else on the maternal side of her family had breast cancer. No one on the father's side had it.
With regard to the OncoDX test, the website called breastcancer.org indicates that it helps doctors to determine the extent to which a woman is likely to benefit from chemotherapy and the risk of recurrence of cancer at an early stage.
Johnson and his team will discuss surgical choices such as a lumpectomy or a total mastectomy.
"At the time of the operation, they will also perform a biopsy of the first lymph node, called the sentinel lymph node, to determine if the cancer has metastasized," she said. "If that's the case, then I have to follow the standard protocol of chemotherapy and radiotherapy."
If this is not the case, said Johnson, there is a good chance she will need radiation.
Johnson said that it was difficult to describe his feelings.
"I am not a person who dwells on a lot of things," she said. "I do not go on the Internet to search for results – and anything that could lead you down a path you do not want to take."
She maintains a positive attitude.
"It's just another thing I have to do. It's not something I see as far as breaking myself and putting me in a black hole. I am always me. I just have cancer cells in my chest that I have to take care of, "she said.
Johnson appreciates the number of people who have spoken and shown their willingness to help in any way.
And that she has a support system and is able to ask for and accept help.
"I spoke with a survivor here in Oakland, who said she had gone through her first two episodes of cancer and did not want anyone to know. And she said it was the worst thing she could have done. When she finally accepted help, it made her so much better, "Johnson said.
Johnson, who has a 13-year-old mixed breed dog, Lakota, said she liked to see and try new things.
She hopes to return to work soon.
Johnson works for the Omaha-based Aureus Medical Group as a physical therapist assistant. Licensed in five US states, she has contracted 13 weeks in areas that need help.
Often, she ends up stretching her time there.
"And I meet and make very good friends," she said.
So far, she has worked in Minnesota, New Mexico and Washington on travel assignments.
"I have a job that I like a lot," she said, stressing that she loves helping others.
His work also allows him to travel and see new areas.
"I hope to return to my job," she said. "At the moment, I am not able to work because no one is going to contract me while I am under full treatment."
Johnson does not know if she will have chemotherapy. He was told that the radiation would take four weeks and one day. Then there will be a recovery time.
"I do not know when I can come back and it's a frightening thing when bills start to arrive," she said.
She received funds raised when the Welcoming Group of Lutheran Faith Ambassadors hosted a Pink Out cancer awareness event earlier this month.
Johnson also has a GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/c4guw7-team-brandee on which she states, "I will always be grateful to anyone who is willing to help me for the moment as As monthly insurance premium, expenses, food and utilities do not stop only because of this situation. "
The local woman knows the importance of laughing and staying positive.
"I think whenever something like this happens, the good that comes out of it is to show you again how many people are there for you," she said. "I think we are getting lost in our jobs, in our world and in the fields around us, and we sometimes forget the multitude of people we have met throughout our lives who are always there and listening to you. "
She notes the importance of something else:
"To be just grateful that every day you wake up."
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