Barbara Grassley: My birthday wish for Iowans
Today (Oct. 21), I celebrate my birthday. Believe me, I am grateful to celebrate every single candle on my birthday cake. You see, I am a breast cancer survivor. Even though my diagnosis was 28 years ago, I will never forget how I felt when my family doctor discovered a lump in each breast. I didn’t panic. I’ve learned that when life knocks you down, faith and family keep me marching onward and upward.
Like every woman, I am accustomed to burning the candle at both ends, morning, noon and night. We juggle caregiving, careers, chores and civic responsibilities. We tell ourselves we don’t have time to spare for medical appointments. But take it from me, we can’t afford not to make the time.
My friends and family might tell you I’ve never met a stranger and enjoy a good visit. I wish I could sit down and visit every wife, mother, sister, and daughter in every coffee shop in Iowa. I would try to persuade each and every one about the importance of knowing one’s family history, lifestyle, early screening and detection. It truly can make the difference for surviving and thriving.
The experts say one in eight girls born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Those odds could catch at least one of my own daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters. It’s incredibly important for every woman to be her own advocate. Learn about your risk profiles and the best prevention and detection options.
Even nearly 30 years ago, I was aware that recommendations for breast health included early screening and detection. Then, a health fair was arranged in the Russell Senate Office Building at the behest of then-Sen. Ed Zorinsky of Nebraska. Diagnosed with a serious heart condition, he knew he was living on borrowed time. He wanted others to live life to the fullest, so he organized a health and wellness day on Capitol Hill.
Senator Zorinsky died of a heart attack before the health fair took place, but the fair went forward in his honor. If he only knew his effort can be attributed to saving my life. That day, I visited the various health stations to learn about nutrition, exercise and wellness. At one booth, I had my finger pricked to screen for various things. At the end, I was told I should check with my family doctor because my cholesterol level was a bit high.
I immediately called my doctor and scheduled a physical. During my physical, the doctor discovered a lump in both of my breasts. An incision biopsy on my left breast revealed a malignant tumor.
These are words hundreds of thousands of Americans hear every year: “You have breast cancer.” I give thanks every day that I am able to respond with four words of my own: “I am a survivor.”
The National Cancer Institute says 40,290 breast cancer patients will die from this disease this year. And yet, so many of us take good health for granted. That’s why I’m compelled to tell my story. I hope my advocacy and the amazing campaigns publicizing and promoting National Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October will motivate more people to get screened. Individuals also could join awareness efforts in local communities, patronize businesses that contribute critical funding to research and donate their time, talent and treasure to help build hope and save lives.
The week before my surgery in 1987, Chuck and I had a lot weighing on our hearts and minds. And to this day, I’ll never forget finding solace in the most unexpected moment. An individual who was with our friend visiting us in Des Moines, a tall gentleman from Germany, took my hand and prayed. He knew about my recent diagnosis and upcoming surgery. With tears running down his face, he told me about his beloved wife — “meine Frau” — whom he had lost to breast cancer. I still get “Gӓnsehaut,” what I call my German goosebumps, when I close my eyes and feel the depth of his loss and the strength he instilled in me.
On April 29, 1987, I was walking down the corridor on the arm of my anesthesiologist. I said to him, “Doc, if the other lump is malignant, I want the surgeon to take both breasts. You’re a nice guy, but I don’t want to come back here.” When I woke up, I still had the other breast, but the surgeon took out that lump “so no one would ever wonder.” I still get a yearly mammogram on that breast.
As a lifelong Iowan, I feel blessed to call Iowa home. With our neighborly, family-oriented heritage and strong communities, Iowa instills pride in our state’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. We may not see eye to eye on all the issues, but we can all agree that a breast cancer diagnosis is not a partisan issue. It’s not liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, progressive or libertarian.
Today I’m going public with my birthday wish, and I need your help to make it come true. I’m asking every Iowan to check in today with at least three women in your life whom you can’t imagine celebrating your next birthday without. Ask when they had their last wellness check and breast health screening. Hold them accountable to make and keep their appointment!
We all know it’s easier to procrastinate. Don’t make it easy for your wife, sister, mom or daughter to wait. And, while it’s extremely rare, men get breast cancer, too. We need to remember that.
We have only one life to live. And I, for one, intend to live life to the fullest and advocate for others to do the same.
Barbara Grassley, a 28-year breast cancer survivor, is married to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley. Contact: barbaragrassley@gmail.com