Pamela Locke Ulosevich

I went to my annual appointment for a mammogram, just like I did religiously every year. It seemed unusual that I was asked to wait while the radiologist read my scans, but I did so. In a short while I was taken to her office, and she showed me a suspicious spot on my right breast via her computer program. After our talk, she walked me to the surgery clinic to introduce me to a surgeon and make an appointment for a mastectomy.

It all happened so fast that, at the time, I couldn’t take it all in. Ultimately, I went back to the surgeon several times to ask questions, got a second opinion, pored over medical books and journals and finally made the decision the morning of surgery: to have a lumpectomy.

I made the right decision, and have had good mammograms since. However, the process and concerns I had at the time were the same as for one who has a mastectomy. It’s a traumatic time for the patient, family and friends. Through it all, I learned to lean on my faith and those who love me. They never failed.

That He’ll carry me over the deepest ravine,

That He’ll lift up my spirit from hell,

That He’ll cleanse me through the burning fires,

This poem was originally submitted for the CURE® 2021 Poetry Contest.

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Articles

A woman writes a poem about how she leaned on family, faith and friends when a suspicious spot was discovered during her annual mammogram appointment.

Pamela Locke Ulosevich

Experiencing a Lumpectomy and Gaining 'Insight'

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