Breast Cancer Research Foundation Of Alabama

stories of survival

Kathy Seale

Features writer, The Birmingham News

Married to Race Seale

Three daughters, ages 17, 24 and 26.

In January of 2003, at age 48, I went for my routine check-up at the gynecologist. He palpated my breasts, told me to schedule a mammogram, and said everything looked good. I told him that my sister, maternal uncle and grandmother had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and I wondered if I should stop taking estrogen (prescribed because of my total hysterectomy at 35). He dismissed my concern and said the benefits outweighed the risks. I scheduled a mammogram, but canceled the appointment when ‘something came up.’

Four weeks later, I felt a lump in my right breast while taking a shower. It felt large, and I knew immediately it probably wasn’t good, but it was Sunday so I called my doctor the next day. They told me to get a mammogram on Tuesday. The radiologist didn’t see anything on the mammogram, but I said, ‘Well, feel it.’ She did, and there was no denying something was there. They took another mammogram. Still, nothing showed up. So they did a sonogram, and I knew by the look on the sonographer’s face that it probably wasn’t good news. Then the radiologist came in after she read it, sat on the table with me and asked me if anybody was with me. I started crying, and they went to the waiting room to get my husband.

They immediately sent me to the surgeon, who wanted to remove the tumor the next day. I said no, because I had recently done a story on the "team approach" to breast cancer at UAB, and I knew I had options. I said he could do a biopsy, but that’s all I would commit to at that point.

The results from the biopsy were inconclusive, because the only cells he retrieved were pre-cancerous, although he felt like there were invasive cells in there. I made the decision to leave him, my gyn, and the hospital they were affiliated with, and schedule an appointment at UAB.

Long story short, and after much consultation with the UAB team, I opted for a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstruction. The 2-1/2 cm tumor was stage 2. After six weeks, I underwent 4 rounds of chemotherapy. The folks at UAB were wonderful, and I’m forever grateful I went there....

Anyway, my long-term prognosis is good. I visit my oncologist, Dr. Forero, every six months. After five years, I’ll go annually. Honestly, I can’t remember percentages, I just assume I’m cured and that’s that.

My niece (my sister’s daughter) was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of years ago. Since I have three daughters, I’m concerned for them as well. That’s one reason I’ll keep writing about the disease when The Birmingham News gives me the opportunities.

Last year, I wrote stories about the Life Inspiration Awards and Race for the Cure. The year before, I wrote a story about Sarah Patterson (U of Ala. women’s gymnastic coach) and her Target the Cure benefit match. I’ve also written an "All Things Pink" feature on items you can buy to benefit breast cancer, the breast cancer survivors who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, and, as I mentioned before, UAB’s team approach to the disease. I also try to include items that benefit breast cancer in other gift guides (besides the one I did on just breast cancer-related products), and when I write about any woman, I mention her history with the disease, if applicable.