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Sisters’ Journey Survivor of the Month – Ginne-Rae Clay
Read her story (thanks www.sistersjourney.org)
In December 2018, while performing a self-breast exam, I felt a lump in my left breast. This was not normal because I regularly conduct self-breast exams and try to stay in tune with my body overall. This lump immediately concerned me and in my head I heard my sister say, “When was the last time you had a mammogram?”
I did not have a good feeling about this. I immediately called my primary care physician because I knew he would see me immediately and I really needed a medical professional to tell me something ASAP.
My primary care physician referred me to another doctor who ordered a mammogram. There were several glitches. Based on my mammogram they wanted me to have a biopsy in the area seen on the film. I went in for the biopsy, and again there were glitches that resulted in delays.
I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in my left breast in April 2019. After processing this diagnosis, conducting research, and immediately talking with my support network, I was referred by a friend and breast cancer survivor to her doctor at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston for a second opinion. I received confirmation in May 2019, that I had Stage 4 breast cancer.
My treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute was swift, comprehensive and consistent with what they told me regarding treatment. As part of my treatment, I opted to participate in several clinical trials to assist with medical research that would inform my family (daughters, sisters and granddaughters) and help provide medical information for other Black women. I wanted my family to have knowledge of our medical history and fully understand this disease. Coincidentally, it was at Dana Farber that I learned that I also had parathyroid tumors that needed to be removed.
In December 2019, I underwent surgery to remove the lemon-sized lump from my breast. Out of caution and to avoid a potential second surgery, rather than removing and doing a biopsy of one or two lymph nodes, all were removed from my left arm and tested. During that surgery, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to lymph nodes in my left arm as 2 lymph nodes tested positive for cancer.
My treatment plan now had to change. I knew I was scheduled to be treated with radiation after surgery. However, once cancer was discovered in my lymph nodes, I would need both chemotherapy and radiation, which started in January 2020 and July 2020 respectively.
I elected to have my treatments at the Smilow Cancer Hospital in my home state of CT. My chemotherapy treatment consisted of a weekly regiment, followed by several weeks of daily radiation.
I was 56 years old when I received the news of my cancer. As of August 2024, I will be cancer free and in my fourth year in remission.
First and foremost, I am thankful to God for letting me know that this journey was assigned to me and that I did not need to worry. I would be fine, but I needed to take this journey. I am thankful for my family, especially my three children Dale, Quinci-Rae, and Jacqueline for their unwavering and no-nonsense, protective support. I am blessed to have my grandson Donovan, who at the young age of 10, displayed strength, care, kindness, concern and patience of a person three times his age. Never once did he complain. He jumped in and made sure it was about me. My sister Gina was with me every step of the way, even though COVID prevented her from being with me in person. She encouraged me to stay positive and follow every order given by the doctors. With the love of my family, I was never alone. I had round-the clock support, companionship and love. I wanted for nothing.
I am thankful for my pastor Kristopher Reese and my church family at Grace Baptist Church in Waterbury, who lifted me in prayer often and out loud; for my village, for prepared meals, flowers, gift cards, gift baskets, cards, phone calls, text messages, emails, window visits, and words of encouragement; but most of all I am thankful for them telling me and showing me that I am loved; and finally for Sam, a friend of my daughters who made sure my flowers were always fresh!
I Am a Survivor!
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