Lyudmila’s Story
Lyudmila’s story begins in Russia. In 1991, amidst the fall of Communism, she gave birth to her son Alexander, her first and only child. While she was still nursing him, she developed mastitis, an infection that sometimes occurs during breastfeeding. After she received treatment and the infection went away, she didn’t think she would have to worry about something as life-threatening as breast cancer, but she did become more conscious of her breast health from that time forward.
Almost ten years later, in 1999, Lyudmila immigrated to the United States with her husband and son. Being cautious about her health, she wisely continued recieving mammograms on a regular basis. Every year she went back to the doctor to receive a clinical breast exam and a mammogram, which always came back with normal results. In 2006 when her husband lost his job, her medical insurance was taken away and she was not able to continue receiving annual mammograms. However, she never stopped performing breast self exams.
The first time she detected a lump in her breast was last summer, in the same breast and in the same place where the mastitis was found seventeen years ago. Due to her health-conscious attitude and previous experience with breast infection, she knew she shouldn’t ignore it. Then she saw an adverstisement in a Russian magazine about free mammograms through ROSS Breast Health Education and Outreach Program. She immediately contacted ROSS and scheduled a doctor’s appointment with our help. The Community Outreach Specialist provided interpretation and assistance with filling out forms to help her receive medical assistance. Based on the results of the mammogram and ultrasound she recieved, the doctor ordered a biopsy. Then, Lyudmila’s worst fear was confirmed: the biopsy showed cancer in not only one, but both of her breasts. A double mastectomy was scheduled for December of that year.
Lyudmila was shocked and did not feel prepared to accept her diagnosis. In addition to this new, intense stress in her life, she was still in the aftermath of a divorce. Earlier that year she divorced her husband and became a single mother. She started to worry about her teenage son and what might happen to him if she did not survive.
It was clear that Lyudmila needed extra help to get through this difficult time. The Community Outreach Specialist became a confidant for Lyudmila. She also introduced Lyudmila to Vera, another woman who was also diagnosed with breast cancer. Both women expressed their willingness to help support each other in such a difficult and stressful time of their lives. They became friends and allies in their personal struggles with breast cancer. In addition to this, the Community Outreach Specialist connected Lyudmila with some of ROSS’s breast health volunteers. These volunteers were able to assist her by calling her on the phone, sending her post cards, visiting her at home, bringing her food donations, cleaning her apartment, and preparing her meals on a regular basis.
Lyudmila continues to rely on ROSS for both emotional support and assistance in working with various health care providers. With our support Lyudmila was able to undergo her mastectomy and come out of it with more hope than she had before. She is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment and the possibility that she will recover is greater now because her breast cancer was discovered and treated with the help of ROSS. Without our program the cancer would not have been dealt with in time before it took her life.
Now Lyudmila has become an advocate for other women to help educate them about breast cancer. She shares the message for all women to be diligent about obtaining annual mammograms and to see their doctors regularly. Lyudmila knows what it takes to be a survivor.