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MY EXPERIENCE REALLY HASN’T BEEN THAT BAD. AT LEAST IT WASN’T AS BAD AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN.”
decreases the amount of estrogen made by the body, for five years. This slows or reverses the growth of breast cancers that are fed by estrogen. Bernard says her only side effect is “fogginess.” “It’s a hormone blocker, so it’s cutting off the cancer’s food source,” she says. “It can’t survive.” Bernard says she feels fortunate that it was caught early. Doctors checked the lymph nodes closest to the cancer and everything was clear. However, there’s always the possibility that the cancer can hide in a cell that wasn’t eyed. So far she feels good. Her energy level isn’t quite where she hoped it would be by now, but she hasn’t had the pain or the pressure that bothers many patients. Bernard, who works in the insurance business with her husband, Chris, only took two and a half weeks off for the first surgery, and spent three days at home following the second. She credits her team of doctors for the success so far in her battle against breast cancer. “My experience really hasn’t been that bad,” she says. “At least it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.” A former D cup, Bernard is now between a B and C. “My breasts have taken some time to get used to,” she says. “It feels like a pillow attached to me. But I’m getting more and more used to it. Its becoming a natural feeling.” 28
GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2016