Prioritize Your Mammogram — Tonya's Story
My name is Tonya Lemon and I work at TidalHealth.
In December 2022, I turned 40 years old and was told to schedule my first mammogram. I set up my appointment for the end of January 2023 and went to the appointment. My doctor called me the next day and asked me to come back in to discuss my results. My results were abnormal, so I was referred to a general surgeon here at TidalHealth for a consultation.
In early February 2023, my doctor recommended a biopsy, and I followed his advice. On Feb. 13, 2023, my doctor told me I had cancer in my right breast. I was upset and in total shock. I could never believe in a million years that this was the news he was going to give me. I was told it was ER/PR+ and HER -, Stage 1, Grade 2.
This was the type of news that needed a second opinion, so I made an appointment at Mercy Hospital and saw a doctor there. She recommended I have surgery as soon as possible to have either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. This was a very hard decision, but I chose a double mastectomy. I had the surgery on April 19, 2023.
During the surgery, the doctor also removed 16 lymph nodes, four of which had tumors and two had cancer cells. They didn’t know about the lymph nodes until surgery. I was out of work for six weeks.
I was told I would need chemotherapy and radiation. I received a nuclear medicine full body scan of my bones and a CT scan of my chest and abdomen. I received good news: no cancer in my bones, chest or abdomen.
"If you are turning 40, schedule your mammogram. It doesn’t matter if you have a family history of breast cancer or not – it could save your life."
In preparation for my chemotherapy and radiation, I had surgery for port placement. I then saw the oncologist and hematologist here at TidalHealth on July 10, 2023. I started my first chemotherapy treatment on July 12, 2023, at first every two weeks and then it shifts to weekly. Radiation will follow. So far, I’ve been feeling well with no sickness. Hair loss did begin, so I decided to shave my head after the second treatment.
I know I have a long journey ahead, and I am going to get through it. I have so much support from my husband, Joey, my family, and my church. All the nurses and the doctors here at the Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute have been wonderful and caring. As a proud TidalHealth employee, I also truly appreciate the support of my work family here.
If you are turning 40, schedule your mammogram. It doesn’t matter if you have a family history of breast cancer or not – it could save your life.
Become part of TidalHealth's Drive for Mobile Mammography. TidalHealth will be raising funds to bring a mobile mammography unit to Delmarva. This unit will drive to underserved areas to offer breast cancer screenings to our friends, families, and neighbors who may not have access to healthcare. Learn how you can donate and help us save lives.