Self-Determination: The Will To Achieve

by Janet LaPerle, MASS Board Member, Self-Advocate

In August I had a yearly mammogram.  Two weeks later they told me they had to redo it. The Doctor came out and told me he needed to do a biopsy.  He showed me the white spots on the x-ray. The lab came back as cancer.

My family was devastated when they learned I had cancer.  My sister Monique was over her mother-in-law's house.  She started crying and she thought the worst. 

She picked me up from St. Francis (my day hab) and brought me to Dunkin for coffee. I wondered why she was doing that.  We got there and she tried to hold it in but said the Dr. says you have breast cancer. I said to her "That's okay. I had a feeling." She said "my God, Janet is taking it better than me!" The way I figure it is I got 62 birthdays. How many kids don't get to see the next birthday? I am lucky to make the birthdays I made so far.

I since had two surgeries and 33 radiation treatments which gave me radiation burn half way through. The Doctor and nurse gave me patches, and pain medication worked great until I healed and finished the rest of the treatments.  The last day they gave me a beautiful certificate with smiley faces.  They said whether I came in or went out, I always had a smile on my face. 

I am now in remission, and after 5 years if the cancer does not return, I will be cancer free. I raise money for the American Cancer Society by selling crafts that I make.

Editor’s note: Janet passed away after a brave fight against cancer in April 2020. She was a beloved and highly impactful member of MASS and will be missed dearly.