Our friends at Twisted X Boots have been featuring Breast Cancer Survivors all month and this week, they featured our very own Brenda Scott.

Brenda has been with James Wood Motors for over 20 years. She is an amazing person and a cherished member of the James Wood Family.

Thank you to Twisted X Boots for placing for featuring such amazing people and telling their stories. Here is Brenda’s Story from Twisted X Boots.

DECATUR, TX

In November of 1993, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer.

My Cancer Journey began on Thursday, November 4, 1993 when I went in for a routine mammogram. I had started having Mammograms a year earlier under the advice of my Doctor. My family history warranted it. My Mother, Mary Landers, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1985. My Maternal Grandmother was also diagnosed with breast cancer. My Doctor had also ordered an ultra sound, because I was 33 years old and it would give a better picture of the breast tissue.

When the Ultra Sound Technician found a small lump on the far outside of my right breast, I was in shock. This is when my “Cancer Journey” began. I immediately called the same Surgeon that my Mother had used eight (8) years earlier and scheduled an appointment for Friday. On the following Monday I went in for a biopsy. During the biopsy they removed part of the lump and 2 lymph nodes. The tests showed it was malignant. I was scheduled for a mastectomy on Wednesday, November 10, 1993. My right breast and all my lymph nodes under my right arm were removed. Out of 18 lymph nodes, 5 were positive. I was introduced to Dr. Angel Negron, an Oncologist in Fort Worth. Dr. Negron recommended 10 rounds of Chemotherapy. This meant chemo treatments every three weeks for the next six months.

At that time my oldest daughter, Mary, was a freshman in high school and my youngest daughter, Erin, was a kindergartener. During Chemo I lost every hair on my body except my eye lashes. I was very blessed with not being too sick from the Chemo and was able to keep working 40 hours a week. If not for my children and the support of my family, co-workers and friends I would not have been able to be so strong.

I was able to complete my Chemo and had to take the medication, Tamoxifin, for the next ten and a half years. After that time I was put on the medication, Femara for five years, both of which are anti estrogen medications. Since my check up in March of 2010 I am now totally off of any medications for the Cancer. I continue to wear an elastic sleeve and glove to help prevent the swelling in my right arm which is caused from lymphoedema (because I no longer have any lymph nodes under my right arm). But if this is all I have to deal with after the Cancer is gone, this is nothing to worry over.

I have been involved in the Wise County Relay for Life since 2001 as a Team Captain for The Pacesetters Relay Team from James Wood Motors, Inc. and currently Team Captain for the Survivors & Friends Relay Team. In 2011 I received training from the American Cancer Society to become a Reach to Recovery Volunteer . I have met with other Cancer Survivors through Reach to Recovery and feel like doing this is part of the healing process for me in dealing with Cancer myself.

On April 3, 2017 my Breast Cancer Journey Continued 24 years after my Mastectomy.

I never had Reconstruction of my breast, I have always worn a prosthesis. My late husband, Keith, encouraged me for years to have the reconstruction, but I just wasn’t ready. Keith always told me, “I was perfect just like I was and I did not have to have the surgery for him.”

After Keith passed away on July 27, 2016, I decided to do more things for myself. The First step was to begin my Journey of reconstruction on my right breast.

On April 3, 2017, Dr. Bruce Hermann in Denton did a latissimus flap, (that’s where he takes the muscle and skin from my back and moves it to the front to begin reconstructing my right breast). The surgery lasted 7 hours.

I shared each step of the Reconstruction Journey with all my Friends and Family on Facebook in order to possibly help other Survivors be able to live their lives to the fullest even if they wait 24 years after having a Mastectomy.

On May 4, 2017 the last drainage tube was removed and the Doctor started the fill procedure to build my new breast. During my surgery an enhancer (which is like a small pouch) was placed under my skin for my right breast. The enhancer has a metal piece with a soft front where Sodium Chloride is injected into the enhancer. This aided in the stretching of my skin. I visited my Doctor every two weeks for the injections

During the process of the Reconstruction I was overwhelmed at the sight and feel of two breasts. I had gone without a right breast longer than I had had one to begin with. It was really strange for me to see the beginnings of cleavage.

On July 3, 2017 I went in for out-patient surgery. The expender was removed and an implant was inserted. At this time I was halfway through the process of reconstructing my right breast. At the same time my Doctor did a lift on my left breast so they would eventually match. The surgery last about 3-1/2 hours. I was told that the lift would be the most painful part, but it wasn’t more than feeling like I had pulled a muscle.

On October 3, 2017 I completed the Final surgery on the reconstruction. A nipple was formed by removing skin from the top part of my thigh and placed on the reconstructed breast. My doctor credited my excellent health and had my skin not been very healthy this reconstruction would not have been possible.

It has been such an amazing 24 year Journey. I have been Blessed with Amazing Doctors, the unwavering support of my late husband, Keith, my children, Mary & Erin and grandchildren, Machalia, Krysten, Zoey, Rowyn & Dean. I feel that with Deep Breaths, Baby Steps and Prayers I can handle anything that the Good Lord sends my way.