ABBY TIEMAN // SHRED415 SAWMILL
May 13, 2024 I went in for a routine mammogram. My last mammogram was December 2022 (right after my 40th birthday). I had cancelled my 2023 appointment (because of life/”busy” schedule) and ALMOST cancelled the one for this year. I still thank my lucky stars that was not the case because the outcome would obviously be SO different.
Within an hour I received a call back from OhioHealth that they saw something and wanted me to come back the following week for an additional mammogram and an ultrasound. This call back “felt” a little different to me, so I sat in nerves for that week.
Went in on May 20th for my next appointment (mammogram and ultrasound back to back) I went to this appointment alone and unfortunately even if I had somewhere there with me physically, it wouldn’t have changed that “alone” feeling I instantly felt when they came into the room (the Radiologist, Patience Advocate and nurse) to tell me things didn’t look too good.
We scheduled a Biopsy for the following day (very painful procedure BTW) and I was then told I would have the results in “My Chart” over the Holiday weekend. Let me add that although the process of receiving the results isn’t ideal, OhioHealth was FANTASTIC about contacting me as soon as they could and walking me through it all.
So, I get the notification on my phone on Saturday May 25th while at my daughters soccer tournament. And as you can imagine I started googling the results (because suddenly, I’m a doctor haha). I prepared myself to receive the news “you have cancer”.
All weekend I ran scenarios over and over in my mind. Cried in the dark. Had endless phone conversations filled with tears, a little laughter (where I could fit it in) and confusion as to “why me” with some of my favorite people.
Tuesday came along and early that morning, I received the call from my PA assigned to me “Abby, you have Breast Cancer”. Now, although I had seen the results and “prepped myself” those words still felt like I was being punked (Ashston, you jerk.)
Then began the endless doctor appointments, research, calls with Patient Advocate to ask my 1,001 questions and prep for what was coming next.
I met with my Oncologist/Surgeon right away and we determined a double mastectomy was necessary because of the size of the 2 tumors. At first I thought I wanted to just be done with all the surgeries so I opted for a “flat close” which means they would not have put in expanders or implants. I would have been completely flat. For some reason, when I really sat on that, it didn’t feel right to me.
So I made the call to my Patient Advocate and said although I’m not a vain person and my boobs have never been my “thing”, I just wasn’t feeling good about what being completely flat would bring for the rest of my life.
She was very thrilled to hear this and scheduled a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Instantly I felt a little more at ease which leads me to believe I made the right choice. Even though I knew the scheduled surgery would have to be pushed back due to the scheduling/timing of then meeting with the plastics. But my cancer “luckily” wasn’t extremely aggressive so we had a little time.
I ended up having to wait about 7 weeks until my double mastectomy surgery and let me say it was THE MOST interesting movement of time, I think I could ever experience. Here I was “sick” but felt nothing. As I had ALL these thoughts going thru my mind about what was going to happen on the other side, the world continued to go on. Not that I ever expected other lives to stop, it was a very lonely feeling during this waiting period.
The positive to this time was it gave me a chance to 1. tell my kids (tough convo.) 2. prepare myself for my work and what time I would need off. 3. Take enough classes to get to my 415 before surgery!
I knew in the grand scheme it wasn’t THAT big of a deal, but I felt it was necessary to close that chapter and be ready for the next post-surgery.
So, I had to take about 33 classes in a 30-day window. A lot of 2 a days which my 41-year-old body wasn’t loving but it gave me a chance to focus on what I could control!
Saturday July 6th, the Shred family came together and held a PINK OUT weekend! Pink everything. A chance for people to show up, support the cause, cry together, laugh and share in support. It will forever be one of THE most amazing mornings of my entire life! The love in that room will stick with me forever.
I want to THANK EVERYONE (whether they were in the class, sent text messages, helped with the meal train/donations for my family, hugged me when they saw me or sent gifts to my home). In all the darkness happening in the world. Those moments of light were so beautiful to be a part of! A HUGE THANK YOU to Katie/Chad and Caren for the idea! Means the world!
Surgery day came and WOW. Talk about surreal. Let me add that throughout my appointments I have tried to make it a point to make at least 1 nurse laugh every time I’m seen! I have found laughter can bring people together. Especially in moments like this. I didn’t want to be a “charity case” or have this define me. So if I could bring humor/joy to the other person, it made me feel like I still had a little control in an uncontrollable situation.
Same thing applied the morning of surgery. Although I wanted nothing more than to cry my eyes out and close off; I found some joy in moments that I’ll forever remember. As I was getting wheeled back (with those happy drugs I might add) I knew my life would FOREVER be different when I woke up.
Four and a half hours later, I was brought back to with four drains coming out of my sides. A pretty extreme amount of pain and pressure (as you can imagine) and ready to head home to heal. The next few weeks were a lot of Netflix (which I don’t handle well) but I knew I had to allow myself to rest/sleep to assure there were no infections.
I was 11 weeks post-surgery on Tuesday, and I feel fantastic (for the most part). I have met with the plastic surgeon to fill my expanders and I have my implant surgery next Friday the 4th. I have said “wow, all I needed was cancer to get a free boob job”. All kidding aside, I do look forward to having this surgery over with so I can heal and move into the next chapter of my life cancer free.
The Shred Family was one of the LARGEST pieces of getting me through this. A lot of people ask how I do it with such grace. Well honestly, I’m not sure I have/had much choice. I think when we are faced with someone unfathomable, we just DO!
I am actually extremely grateful for this experience because my new outlook on life is pretty unbelievable. I do wish I wouldn’t have had to go through this extreme to get there, however, now that I know I’ll be okay, I can step back and really appreciate my new view on life! This time we all have here is so short. We are just a blip in the big picture and I want everyone to understand (I don’t care how “healthy” you are or how attentive you are to your body) this CAN happen to you.
PLEASE keep an eye. Advocate for yourself. Ask questions. GO with your GUT…it’s usually right. SMILE. ENJOY the time you have and get your mammograms yearly!
