I had both my boys at Meriter, which were two of the best days of my life. Little did I know that some of the worst days of my life would also be at Meriter.

In December 2002, I found a lump in my breast. My youngest son was just three months old, and I had just quit breastfeeding. I mentioned the lump to our family practice doctor at my son's three-month checkup. She did a quick exam and advised me to have an ultrasound. I was 30 years old so she felt an ultrasound would be better than a mammogram.

I was scheduled a week later and it was the Friday between Christmas and New Years. I was concerned, but felt the lump was probably just related to breastfeeding. The ultrasound films were read and it was recommended I have a mammogram. The technician said "ironically, we're able to get you right in which is unbelievable". I knew at that point someone was watching out for me. I was scared.

The mammogram films were read and I was told I was being referred to a general surgeon to discuss removing the lump as it had ‘concerning characteristics.’ Given the holidays, I had to wait a week to see the surgeon. It doesn't seem like a long time, but it was torture!

On Friday, January 3, 2003, I met Dr. Jackie Thompson (now Arbuckle). From the moment I met her, Jackie made me feel special. It was as if I was her only patient. She was genuinely concerned. She told my husband and me our options for doing a biopsy. She also said she could take the lump out right then and there if that was our preference. Given the size of the lump to the touch, we chose to have it removed. I had a lumpectomy. Jackie performed the surgery while talking to my husband and I the whole time.

We had so much faith and trust in Jackie within moments after meeting her. She has a caring, calm demeanor. She's a beautiful, young, intelligent woman. I felt we were going through this together.

After Jackie removed the lump, I asked her what she was thinking. Jackie showed me the tissue she removed, pointing to the good breast tissue (soft and pink) and bad tissue. The bad tissue looked like gravel. Jackie didn't like what she saw. It was at that moment, I knew I had breast cancer. I didn't need an official diagnosis. Gravel has to be cancer.

I cried a lot that weekend. My husband stayed strong. People kept telling me to think positively. I wasn't being negative – I was just preparing myself.

The following Monday we went in for the biopsy results. Jackie cried as she told me I had breast cancer. My husband cried. I looked at the both of them and said "what do we do now?" It was my turn to be strong. Together, Jackie, my husband, and I discussed all our options. Jackie gave the probability of survival with each of the options. Jackie also explained testing of the lymph nodes. She told us she was concerned because my lymph nodes were swollen to the touch. It was a lot of information to take in. I asked Jackie what she would do if she were me. I trusted her. At this point, I was trusting her with my life. With my kids’ mother. With my husband's wife.

Jackie cleared calendars, tracked down one of the top cosmetic surgeons (paged him 4-5 times) and had him clear his calendar. I was in surgery the following Friday undergoing a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. My doctors were wonderful. Dr. Arbuckle, Dr. Manning and Dr. McFarland. I couldn't ask for a better team and Jackie pulled them together for me. At my insistence, I went home the following day.

The following Monday, Jackie called me at home and informed me my nodes were clean! This was the first piece of good news I had gotten in weeks. The nodes that were removed during surgery were visibly swollen so I was again preparing myself for the worst. I underwent more surgeries for port placement and continued reconstructive surgery followed by three months of chemotherapy. My team of doctors, family and friends got me through it.

My husband died unexpectedly two-and-one-half years after my diagnosis. We had been a team in this battle, and I was feeling a lot of anxiety over my health especially now that I was a single parent. My team of doctors helped to keep me strong during this tragic time.

It's now five years later, I just had my final checkup with Jackie. I continue to see Dr. McFarland every six months. I'm healthy. All checkups are good. I'm in love, and life is good again! I thank God for the compassion, knowledge, empathy, and experience Meriter doctors gave me. I have a future and it's SO BRIGHT!

Teresa