What happened, in summary

Tessa’s breast cancer was detected during a routine mammogram, when a small tumor measuring about 12 mm was found. The diagnosis came as a surprise, especially because Tessa was caring for an elderly mother at the time and felt there was little space in life to deal with cancer. Doctors initially recommended breast-conserving surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Tessa chose lumpectomy and radiotherapy but decided not to take the offered anastrozole after researching its possible side effects. Tessa described the breast cancer as hormone-fed and chose hormone replacement therapy with estrogen, progesterone and vaginal estrogen to manage menopause symptoms. The lumpectomy took place on the same day Tessa’s mother died, adding a major personal loss to the treatment experience. Throughout recovery, Tessa continued healthy eating and daily walks. The possibility that the cancer might remain or return was a persistent fear, but Tessa also felt fortunate that it had been detected early and expressed gratitude for the medical team. Current priorities include caring for baby grandsons, supporting the children and improving quality of life by managing menopause symptoms.