Reuters correspondent Deborah Charles, 42, learned she had breast cancer on Nov. 6, 2007. She writes about her diagnosis — infiltrating ductal carcinoma — and how her life’s changed in a four-part series here.
Send comments or questions on her stories below. Or share your own. Have you or a friend gone back to work after a cancer diagnosis?
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9 comments so far
A diagnosis of breast cancer is devastating for sure. It is also a prolonged terror due to the fact that you don’t know when or where cancer will reappear. It is extremely important, due to a lot of misconception, that men at least do a self examination, breast cancer is no respector of gender, as it seems to be the common belief.
- Posted by Andy, Annapolis, MarylandDebbie. Thank you for sharing this story. I wish you good health and happiness. Lisa
- Posted by Lisa BaertleinI am stage IV breast cancer, Diagnosed July of last year and have been on chemo since July. I am seeing my Doctor tomorrow, but I know it will be bad news, my tumor markers have risen steadly in the last few months, which means that the treatment is probably not working anymore. My 40th birthday is this Thurdsay, at least I have made it to that milestone. I go to work everyday, even on chemo days, I need to feel like a productive part of society, it helps me stay strong. Cancer sucks!
- Posted by catherineDebbie has written a moving story by a cracker-jack journalist. I spent nearly 20 years with Reuters as a financial correspondent, editor, and senior news executive, then bought a weekly newspaper. In January 2006 I developed a nagging pain in my lower abdomen, went to the doctor, had a CAT scan in the initial belief I may have a bowel obstruction. A nurse practitioner called me at the office 90 minutes later to tell me I had lymphatic cancer. It took six weeks of tests and biopsies - tissue and bone marrow - to identify both the stage and type of cancer. It turned out to be Stage 1 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I now receive Rituxin treatments for four weeks every six months. After each treatment I wait six weeks for a CAT scan and blood test to see how this specifically formulated cancer poison is working. So far it seems to be working though a critical test date looms. Getting the news was a shock, but then I asked: “Why not me? What makes me different?” I didn’t ask to have cancer, I didn’t have a life-style likely to cause it, and now that I have it, I’ll live with it for as long as I can. Am I afraid of dying of cancer? Not really. I’m really more concerned about getting killed by a drunk driver or one who is talking on a cell phone or texting on their BlackBerry while driving. My wife is a breast cancer survivor, about to start her 7th cancer-free year. Cancer has made us better individuals, more loving, more caring, more appreciative of what we have. As some many have wished us good health and progress in our cancer journey, we offer the same wishes and prayers for Debbie Charles. She came to Reuters as I was departing, but I’ve read her superb reporting and hope at 42 she will have many more decades of reporting ahead of her.
- Posted by Chuck KershnerDebbie:
It is very kind of you to share your story! I am sure it will benefit many women to know they can handle it.
I also want to say that as I was going through my treatment (I’m a 2 year survivor), I too decided that I had to treat my hair loss time as something fun because everything else about this time was so hard. So I got a couple of fun wigs that changed my hair color and several hats, scarves, dangly jewelry, and makeup (heavier than I would normally wear).
Anything positive we can find during this time is well worth the effort! Take care and many happy long years!
- Posted by GailI have breast cancer too and I can say this much..it sucks! I’m almost done with my chemo and will be starting radiation soon. There’s so much of it in the news now it makes one think..why? Thanks for sharing your story..Christine
- Posted by ChristineMy thirty-three year old married daughter and mother of a four year old and a two year old was diagnosed with breast cancer in February of this year. She finished the sixth of nine scheduled chemotherapy treatments Tuesday. Scheduled to follow are mastectomy surgery, radiation and reconstruction. This week my wife and I have our two grandchildren so my baby bald headed daughter can play in a state tennis tournament. No “chemo princess here!”
This young woman has helped teach her family, including two older sympathy sheared brothers, and and her friends the meaning of positive attitude and a strong will.
The support of her friends and care givers has inspired us all. Her “Breast Buddies” cook, clean, wash and babysit in addition to leaving a surprise on her doorstep for when she returns home on treatment days. I hope my daughter’s story on http://www.caringbridge.org under visit “sowen” can help some other young woman.
A very proud father,
- Posted by Redge SwingRedge Swing
Debbie, I share all the comments that Todd made in the video. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 12/06. A man with breast cancer? It is rare but does happen. I am now two-thirds through with chemo. Keep up the great positive attitude as we keep you in our prayers. Both are as powerful as any of the medications.
- Posted by Doug AskovAnd men, don’t think it doesn’t happen to you. Get that lump or growth checked. Your chest may be flat, but it is much flatter when they remove your breast.
Debbie, thank you for sharing this story. I feel your pain.
Doug
Hi Debbie it’s great to hear you have pulled through this well. I too am a cancer survivor. I was 25 when I was told I had stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I am quite familiar with the “red devil” I danced with him for 8 months. I’m doing well now. I applaud you on being open and honest about your cancer. It’s funny how in these times the average person doesn’t know much about cancer. I was very open about my cancer, and helped a lot of people understand what it is. I wish you a long and healthy life. I hope you stay vigilant on spreading the word about cancer. Knowledge is power.
Best regard,
- Posted by Michael FerrariMichael Ferrari