2023-10-14 17:00:00
Breast Cancer Survivor Shares Her Inspiring Journey: Andrea Mertens’ Story
By: Sarah Lorencic
As breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer among women, October serves as the official awareness month for the disease. Andrea Mertens, a brave survivor, shares her story to raise awareness and inspire others.
Just a year and a half ago, Andrea Mertens found herself battling breast cancer. Now, she looks back on her journey with positivity and resilience. “The cancer was there, now it’s gone,” she says, determined to remain optimistic. But her fight wasn’t just against the tumor; she also had to face the challenges of a two-class society in medicine.
In 2021, at the age of 60, Mertens underwent a routine mammogram, as recommended for women aged 50 and over every two years. To her surprise, there were no findings. However, in May 2022, she began experiencing pain in her right breast and immediately consulted her gynecologist. Despite an initial ultrasound showing nothing, Mertens insisted her doctor take a closer look. Eventually, a tumor was discovered. She was sent for further tests and was diagnosed with a rapidly growing, malignant tumor.
Further examinations, including computed tomography (CT), bone scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), indicated a suspected metastasis in the humerus, a bone in the arm. Fortunately, the finding was not confirmed, giving Mertens a good chance of recovery due to the early detection of the cancer.
However, the wait for an MRI appointment proved to be a challenging period for Mertens. Despite the tumor continuously growing, she was unable to secure an earlier appointment. Frustratingly, when she asked if being a private patient would help expedite the process, she was met with disappointment. Finally, after her expected MRI appointment, her oncologist discovered significant enlargement in her breast and promptly sent her to the hospital for further examinations. Chemotherapy commenced at the end of July 2022.
“After two rounds of chemo, my breasts were back to normal,” Mertens proudly shares. The treatment was effective, but it also came with its fair share of side effects. Mertens knew her hair would fall out and wasted no time visiting a wig specialist. As her hair fell out, her son shaved her head, and she opted to wear a hat instead of a wig during the winter months.
Aside from hair loss, Mertens experienced other side effects such as diarrhea, loss of taste, and vomiting. After nine out of twelve chemo treatments, she started shaking, and the treatment had to be stopped. By that point, she had lost 23 kilograms. The symptoms persisted even after chemotherapy, making life difficult. She had difficulty keeping food down and experienced vomiting. When she was scheduled for a gastroscopy, the wait time was too long, prompting her to express her concerns about her deteriorating health. Unfortunately, her lack of private healthcare coverage prevented her from receiving prompt treatment.
Desperate for a solution, Mertens admitted herself to the hospital as an emergency case. Eventually, she received treatment for gastritis and helicobacteria. However, obtaining necessary medications became another hurdle, as many were unavailable in January. Thanks to the efforts of a local pharmacy, the tablets were finally obtained after a week.
Despite the hardships, Mertens began to recover. With infusions from her family doctor and the ability to eat again, she regained strength. On her 60th birthday, she celebrated with her family and even treated herself to dinner. Following 28 radiation treatments, which she endured without any side effects, Mertens spent four weeks in rehab. Her choice of clinic was based on the food rating, as she could finally enjoy meals again.
Throughout her journey, Mertens received immense support from her family. Her father and son accompanied her to various medical appointments, while her mother cared for her at home. They, too, held onto hope, refusing to entertain thoughts of her demise. Mertens also drew strength from her granddaughter, Maya, who was her constant source of cheer and motivation.
Now, Mertens goes for regular check-ups every three months, remaining hopeful that the cancer will not return. Her family shares in this optimism, believing that the worst is behind them. Life continues, and Mertens’ hair has begun to regrow, symbolic of her resilience and victory over breast cancer.
Breast cancer may be a prevalent disease among women, but with early detection and proper treatment, recovery is possible. As we observe Pinktober, the official awareness month for breast cancer, let Andrea Mertens’ story serve as a reminder of the importance of regular check-ups and the power of a positive mindset in overcoming life’s challenges.]
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