Dorothy: [00:00:00] In today’s episode, Montseyrrat Duron talks about her experience with breast cancer. What makes Montseyy special is that she was the youngest woman we ever diagnosed here at The Rose. This episode is raw. This episode is the first time Montseyy’s ever told her story. There were several times I really wanted to stop and start all over, because some of the things she shares are so personal and so heart wrenching that it’s just difficult to listen to. But it is her story, it’s a story of survival, a story of determination. And her journey is not over yet. Join us today as we listen to the story of an 18 year old who was diagnosed with breast cancer.
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Let’s Talk About Your Breasts, a different kind of podcast presented to you by The Rose, the Breast Center of Excellence, and a Texas treasure. You’re going to hear frank discussions about tough topics, and you’re going to learn why knowing about your breasts could save your life.
So Montsey, tell me about you. I just want to know what you do for a living, uh, you have children, or anything that’s personal about you that you’re willing to share.
Montserrat: Okay, so I do have a kid. He’s three years old. He’s my first baby. Um, and, uh. A little bit more about myself, what I do for a living. I am an HIS director for a charter school.
Dorothy: Okay, so what is an H. I. S.? [00:02:00]
Montserrat: We do information systems for human resources.
Dorothy: Okay.
Montserrat: So we manage everything that’s in our employee like portal system. And we do like applicant tracking and all that stuff. Yeah, I’ve been in H. R. in the education field for as long as I can remember.
Dorothy: A long time.
Montserrat: Yeah. For a while.
Dorothy: Yeah. You’ve had certifications and—
Montserrat: Oh, yes.
Dorothy: All that kind of thing. Is that I’ve had all of that.
Montserrat: Yeah. I, uh, graduated with my degree in hr. Mm-Hmm. from New Reach.
Dorothy: I remember meeting you and, and I’m going to share that story a little bit in, as we open up, but you came to The Rose under some very different type of circumstances. So I want you, and I, I keep thinking about every step of your story is almost like you were being moved. I’m, I’m, Even from the first. So start at the very beginning and tell us how everything came together.
Montserrat: Yeah, and this is like a really sensitive subject for me. So, um, if we have to stop, [00:03:00] I’m sorry, but I was in high school. I, I’m the first person to graduate from college and from high school in the United States. So it wasn’t until my college counselor was like, Hey, you should come to this college fair. And I was like, what is college? What are you talking about? And, um, she was like, you should come. I just want you to learn more about it.
Um, she was trying to encourage me to apply to any university. And I was like, okay, it was my senior year. I guess this is what I’m seeing other people do. So I’m going to do it. Um, so I went and there was like a lot of stands and you were just like walking around grabbing some flyers. And when I got home, I was just reviewing them.
And one of them was about self examination. And I was like, wow, I’ve never thought about this. I’ve, like, this was just, like, all new to me. And I was like, well, I’m just going to do it. Like, I’m going to, about to go in the shower. I’m going to do it. Just, you know, To double check that everything [00:04:00] is okay. And I was honestly not thinking anything.
I thought like, there’s no way, there’s no way that I’m going to find anything. And I did. I don’t remember which breast it was. Cause it was a really long journey from that time. I got them in my left, my right, it was everywhere. But at the beginning it was just one. And I was like, this can’t be real, this can’t be real.
And I’m like, doing like checking it over and over again. I finally realized like, okay, no, there is something there. And I called my mom. She was working and she was like trying to keep me calm. She was like, it’s okay. Um, when I get home, we will talk about it. And I was like, okay. She worked a lot. My mom worked a lot, so she got home like at 11 at night and I was like, mom, like I’m waiting for you. Like, can you please take a look at this? And she was like, there’s some, there’s definitely something there. She was like, and I need to figure out where we’re gonna go. We didn’t have health insurance. I didn’t have a primary care doctor. It was just like we didn’t have anything. I [00:05:00] had immigrated to the United States when I was three and by this time I was around 18 years old. Um. We would just go to like different nonprofit clinics and things like that. So we didn’t know where to start. And I think somebody at work told my mom, um, you should go to The Rose. You should go to The Rose and start there. So she called and they were like, oh yeah, you can come in, blah, blah, blah. It might be around $500 depending on what’s going on.
Um, so my mom was like, okay. And I think she made the appointment based on like when she would get paid again. And she was like, in two weeks we’re going to go. And I was like, okay. So I would go to school, live my life normally, but it was always like in the back of my head. And then when I finally went to The Rose, everyone was super nice. So I was like, okay, like, this is, this is a good place. You know, I was really scared. And I didn’t think, I don’t know why I didn’t think about it. Like [00:06:00] I was going to have to get undressed. And I didn’t.
Dorothy: Well, you’re 18 years old. You wouldn’t know any of this stuff.
Montserrat: I wasn’t thinking of none of that stuff. So, when they put me in the room, they told my mom, I was like trying to pay at the beginning. They were like, just wait, like we’re going to do an examination. We’ll talk to you about payment at the end. And I realized it was like a male, I don’t know if it was like the technician, radiologist.
Dorothy: That was our radiologist.
Montserrat: Yeah. Yeah. And I was like, oh my God. Like I. Never gotten dressed in front of a man. Like, I was like, this is going to be like, so like uncomfortable for me. Right. But I was like, I have to do it. Like, it’s for my own good. Um, and I remember him doing the examination and he wasn’t really saying anything. And, uh, then he was like, I need to get, uh, somebody else in here. And when that person came, like, he was doing the same examination. It was like an ultrasound [00:07:00] and like, his face changed and that’s when I was like, something is wrong. And then he told my mom, like, we need to get a biopsy. We need to get more. Like, I’m not sure what I’m looking at. So, and mom was like, I don’t have health insurance. I don’t know where to go. Like, can we do that here? And that’s when, like, someone from the front talked to my mom.
Dorothy: It’s okay, you’ve got Kleenex right there.
Montserrat: And they told her, um, about going to Harris Health. And my mom was like, okay, like, where do I start? And I remember that lady wrote everything down for my mom. And they gave us a referral. And they told us exactly where to go, how to drive, how to get there. And [00:08:00] we told her, we’re not going to charge you anything. We just want you to go now and apply for like, I think it’s like the gold card or something. And we want you to make sure that you get this taken care of.
And we never came back to The Rose. But that was like, It was like God kind of like putting it all in our place. So we went to Harris Health. They did a biopsy, so I was able to get the gold card. They did a biopsy, and eventually I met Dr. Bonefas. Oh my God, that lady.
Dorothy: She is absolutely one of our heroes. Believe me, back then there were very few doctors that were willing to work with our patients. She was always one.
Montserrat: She’s amazing. Um, I remember when I met her, um, like, I was [00:09:00] not expecting her to be in my life for as long as she ended up being. At first it was just like, well we need to take this out, it’s not going to stop growing.
Thankfully it’s benign, but it’s not going to stop growing. So, I was like, okay, I was a competitive swimmer for my high school. So all of that kind of, and everything kind of died. But I was determined, like, I have to do this for myself, I have to do this for myself. Um, I graduated high school and I did decide to go to college.
And it was, it was hard. I was not only the first person in my family to go to college, I was trying to navigate everything. And at the same time, I kept getting more tumors. Like, I think it was like, three more, and we would have to go through the process, biopsy, lumpectomy, and it was like again and again, and I was just, every time I had to stop my life, [00:10:00] and it was until the last one that I was like, Mom, like, I can’t do this anymore.
I can’t finish school. I really can’t do nothing. Um, and I remember going with mindset. Um, when you go to Harris Health, you don’t really know who you’re going to see. And for some reason, I always thought Dr. Bonefas, like, it was like God was putting all the right people in front of me to get through this.
And that last time, uh, she walked in and she was like, I, I’m not supposed to see you. She’s like, my contract is ending, but I’m going to get it extended. She was like, I recognize your name right away. She was like, I’m getting it extended because I, We need to end this. Like, she was like, this has to end. And I remember she was like, I don’t know how to tell you this.
And she was like, I think we have to completely remove your breasts. She was like, it’s just not stopping. [00:11:00] Um, and I remember she was, I was like, I just told my mom. She was like, I’m sorry. She was like, I just think it’s the best way to go. She was like, and I want to do it for you. And, you know, it’s just a coincidence that we’re both here again.
So I was like, yeah, if I trust anybody, it’s you. And then she started talking about how maybe I would not be able to get reconstruction right away because it was Harris Health. Um, and I honestly wasn’t even thinking about that. I was just like, just take them away. Like, I was like, you know, once I graduate high school, I mean, once I’ve been graduated college, I will get a job and then I will figure it out.
And she was like, I could tell like in her face, she wasn’t okay with that. And she told me, I was just like, I don’t think that’s ethically correct. You’re only [00:12:00] 21. And I can’t do that to you. And she was like, just wait here. It took like three hours to come back. And she was like, I got a team of plastic surgeons to be on board with me. To do, like, as I’m removing, they’re going to be preparing you for reconstruction. She was like, it’s going to be a long process. But she’s like, you’re going to get reconstruction right away. Like, there’s not going to be any gaps in between. And the day finally came, you know, I had to go through a process of like, had to make sure that everything is fine so that you can go under surgery.
Um, and we did the full bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy. I think it was like October. It was like, I think it was Halloween [00:13:00] actually. I think because she was wearing her little Halloween cap. And she was like, She was just like so sure that this was the right way to go. And that made me feel so at peace that I was doing the correct thing. It was a really long process.
Dorothy: It is.
Montserrat: I got hyper— something where, like, your heart is, like, palpitating too hard. So I had to go into intensive care, uh, and then, uh, waking up from that, I remember thinking before going into surgery, you can’t let this get to you. You’re gonna look different. Things are gonna be different.
But you can’t let it get to you. You just have to be patient, because they had to do the expanders. Uh, so when you come out of there, you come out looking like a whole different person. [00:14:00] And I was like, I can’t let this get to me. Like, I can’t be vain about it. Like, I just have to be strong. And, maybe a little bit immature of me, but I was like, just don’t even look at yourself. Just don’t even look at yourself.
Dorothy: Yeah, that’s That’s a really normal reaction.
Montserrat: Yeah. So, I remember we got home. My grandma came from Mexico because my mom had to continue working. So she came from Mexico to take care of me. I would go every Friday to get saline, which is so painful, and I did not think it was going to be that painful. It took about a year to get us—
Dorothy: To expand the area.
Montserrat: To get us back to normal. And then I had to go through another surgery. And same thing, my heart, I think at this point, it was like doing surgeries every year, like you need a break. Yeah. Uh, so we were struggling with hypertension, [00:15:00] hyper, I think it’s called hypertension.
And, um, and that was him. Like when it was finally done, I was like, it’s so right after we were done, I was like, okay, this. This chapter of my life is done. I need to move forward. I remember taking like six to eight classes a semester. Like I was, I need to get back on track, get back my life, get back just everything that this is taking from me.
And then I got married, I graduated college, um, and then had a baby. I wasn’t able to breastfeed. So there’s things that sometimes still come back and I’m like, it still sometimes hurts, you know? But I’m really grateful, I’m really blessed to be here. I want to [00:16:00] do as much as I can with what happened to me to make people aware.
Dorothy: So do you remember what kind of tumor you had?
Montserrat: I had a felonious tumor. Yeah.
Dorothy: And those are very tricky and Dr. Bonefas is absolutely right. They’re not gonna go away and so many times all of a sudden you have a cancerous thing going on there and it’s almost always younger women. But it’s a horrible, um, You know, I can, I can see and understand the doctor’s concern because it was going to be something you had to live with for a long, long time unless you made that decision.
And, you know, like you said, tough decision. Probably one of the hardest you ever had to make. Especially at that age. But it was the right one. There was just nothing else to do with that particular kind of tumor. [00:17:00]
Montserrat: Yeah, I think I made the right decision. Even though I see the things that now are affecting me because of it, I still feel like I made the right decision, because it could be worse. It could be that, I got a malignant tumor now having my kid.
Dorothy: Right.
Montserrat: Knowing that now more than ever I need to be here to take care of him. So it’s, it was a journey. But Dr. Bonefas. She’s amazing.
Dorothy: She is. I, after I read your story, when you, when you sent it to me, I reached out to her. I haven’t heard back from her yet. And I said, I have another one of your patients that we’re talking to and, you know, and, and thanked her again for all the times that she’s been there for us.
Montserrat: I will never forget her. Um, um, [00:18:00] it’s, I have so much respect and just love for her. She is incredible human.
Dorothy: So for our listeners, I want to tell you how I, I actually met Montsey. I was asked to be on a panel for a leadership conference for women. And I know that no one believes this, but I am such an introvert and I hate doing those things. I did everything I could to get out of being on that panel, but, but Gallagher has been so very good to us. So I said, yes, I’d be there. We’ve gone through our whole talk and shared with the audience different things we’ve learned as, as, uh, leaders. And then it comes to the Q& A. And so, you know, they say, do you have anything that you’d like to ask one of the, any one of these three speakers? And someone stood up, and I think you were like the second one to stand up.
And your question was, [00:19:00] I want to know how to help The Rose. And I was all ready to go into my spiel. You know, well, you can come have your mammogram or you can donate or you can volunteer. And I never said, I never got to that because you said, because I was 18 years old and The Rose helped me. And the whole room went quiet. I mean, it was like, Oh my gosh, and I thought, what are the chances? You know, it was another God thing, truly. I mean.
Montserrat: It was, it really was.
Dorothy: And when you, when you stood up and I, I kept thinking, I, I, I’m gonna have to meet her. And you know, we have a lot of patients I don’t know and haven’t, didn’t get the chance to meet, but oh my gosh, your testimony there was incredible.
And it, And I knew you had not talked about it before, just, but how brave of you to stand up in front of 500 of your colleagues and say, this happened to me.
Montserrat: Yeah. [00:20:00] I remember vividly, um, when they were like, they asked the, the people that were going to share their stories, they asked you guys to go on stage. I did not know who you were. It wasn’t until they said, this is, uh, Dorothy from The Rose. And I was like, I turned to my colleague and I was like, The Rose was my first, like, it was my first place where I found help. And she was like, what? I was like, yes. I was like, never in my life did I imagine this was going to happen.
I remember feeling very emotional. And I was like, because I’m in a different, like, I’m 30 years old now. I’ve been through everything already. And it was like closing it for me. I was closing that like chapter because I was like, now I’m meeting the person [00:21:00] that helped build what helped me get to where I’m at now.
Cause if I didn’t go through all that, I might not be here. Right? So it was, and I’m not the one to go and stand up in front of the crowd and And I have to, I have to know how we can help. Um, she is my direct colleague. Um, she’s amazing. Um, she is the director of comp and benefits. So I do the HR stuff. She does comp and benefits.
And I was like, we have to see how we can help, right? Not just the organization, but our own employees and getting them good service. And if that service is going to help others. Because I remember you mentioned saying for every one person that goes with insurance, you’re able to provide.
Dorothy: Actually, it’s every three. Every three. We’re able to provide screening. Now, a lot of our women who are uninsured come to us like you, who already [00:22:00] have a problem going on. So that’s where we raise money because when you’re doing diagnostics, you, you have ultrasounds or you may have a mammogram, but the doctor’s meeting with you, you know, so that, that’s, that’s a little more expensive when, when we’re doing those workups, but every bit helps.
And, you know, I just think, from that time you picked up that piece of paper in the health, in the college fair to your mother’s coworker telling her to call The Rose to coming to us. And, you know, your type of tumor is very unusual. And I think how wise our doctor was not to do anything, but get you into the system. He knew. Yeah, he knew. He knew. Um, but my goodness, every place.
Montserrat: Uh, I’m a faithful woman and [00:23:00] I really do believe God has put me in every place for a reason. So when they gave that opportunity, I was like, do I have to meet her? I have to just thank her. Um, because it changed my life. I honestly don’t know where we would have gone without her.
Dorothy: That’s why The Rose is here. You are the perfect example of people who are hardworking and, and look at you now. I mean, I’m so proud to even know you, to think of that, wow, you went on, finished college, and you know, the work you’re doing within the schools are, that’s amazing. And you’re there to be that mentor to the younger, to our younger generation. That, That’s just a magical story when you get down to it.
Montserrat: I think so. And I want to reach our students. I want to reach other [00:24:00] people that are young because when you’re young, I think I had to grow up at a very like young age. So I’ve always been really mature. Um, after my dad passed away, it was just like, you have no other choice, right? But, I know that when you’re young, you’re like, that’s never going to happen to me. Like, that’s never going to be me. You’re so worried about other things. I’m like, no, you have to.
Dorothy: It is a huge, huge, yes, that is a huge message. And I know, you know, there’s a reluctance for us to go into schools, even, and talk about breast exams, but that’s the only way a young woman is going to find it. I mean, you don’t just do screening mammograms on younger women. So that’s such an important message. And, you know, you knew, even though that wasn’t a practice probably that you often did, but you knew there was something different. We always know our bodies. We [00:25:00] always could say, uh, oh, that doesn’t feel right. And, and you, thank goodness for your mom.
Montserrat: Oh yeah, definitely. It
Dorothy: sounds like she is one strong woman.
Montserrat: She is.
Dorothy: Yeah.
Montserrat: She is. I remember every single time we would go to our appointments because I had probably more than a hundred. They always thought it was for her.
Dorothy: Oh. Oh, yeah. Well, of course.
Montserrat: They were like, oh, you can come in. She’s like, no, it’s for her. And I remember, like, their demeanor would just go like, Oh. Like, it would be like, they would hold their breath, be like, Oh, okay, like, and I would be sitting next to a lot older woman.
Dorothy: Oh, absolutely.
Montserrat: And they’re like, why are you here? And people are always intrigued. And my mom was like, don’t let them ask you, don’t let them, if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t tell them. Like, but people were like, what is going on? Why is she sitting right next to me? And [00:26:00] we’re here at the same place for similar reasons, you know, uh, getting my first mammogram. I think, I don’t know if things are still the same, but they don’t do it at a certain age. Like if you’re too young. And I remember they were like, are you getting this? And it was like, I have to, because I have to. So it was new to me that, like young people, Because if it happened to me, it could happen to anybody else.
Dorothy: Oh yes.
Montserrat: So I was like, why are they not here? Like, why are there’s no represent— there’s no representation, right? There’s nothing, um, are they just catching it when they’re a lot older and it’s too late? So I have so many questions about, like, my experience and how we can make it better, definitely.
Dorothy: Well, you know, just from what The Rose sees, we see a younger population every year. Being diagnosed. We have [00:27:00] had many 20 year olds, many 22 year olds. Almost every year we have someone in their early twenties. You were our youngest. So, and we knew, you know, I mean, you were really our youngest. So it’s just to get about breast cancer doesn’t care. How old you are. You know what you’re doing in life. It, it is gonna be—
Montserrat: Or if you have any history. My family doesn’t have history of anything.
Dorothy: And that is another important, important fact about breast cancer is because 95 percent of all the women who are diagnosed do not have family history. You know, and that’s the first thing people say, well, there’s no history. And I go, it doesn’t matter.
One of the things The Rose would love to see changed is that age guideline. Right now it is age 40, and they’re even pushing for every other year. And when I say they, these are the people that make the recommendations. And once they make them, then Medicare, [00:28:00] Medicaid, commercial insurance has to go by it.
And, and you don’t have a lot of flexibility there. The Rose has always said we should start our screening mammograms at age 35. Always, if you’ve had, if you’ve had breast cancer in your family, 10 years earlier than your mom or grandmom was, was, uh, diagnosed, always, if you have a lump, if you have a change in your breast.
And that’s where we shouldn’t have to fight any kind of system to get that young woman in. It, it just, it, It just annoys me, beyond anything, that we still have to ask permission to do a mammogram on someone who’s already found something. That makes no sense. And because you weren’t insured, we didn’t have to.
We could just do you. And that’s one of those little flukes, you know, we didn’t have to wait for insurance to tell us it’s okay. [00:29:00] We just had to raise the money to do it. So, you know, you have so many stories in there about taking care of yourself, making tough decisions. And again, I’m just so impressed that you could tell yourself in recovery, I can’t let this get to me.
Montserrat: I didn’t look at myself once, Dorothy. And like I said, I don’t know if this is immature of me, but. At first they have to help you shower, because it’s, it takes over everything you’ve ever known. You know, your muscles, your arm strength, everything. And my grandma she has no filter. She has no filter at all.
And the first time she saw me, when she was helping me shower, she was like, Oh, you look like a boy. And I was like, closing my eyes, I was like, thanks for telling me I’m not going to open my eyes again until I know I don’t look like a boy anymore. Because I didn’t, I felt like if I saw it, it [00:30:00] was really going to get to me.
More than everything I was already going through. So I showered with my eyes closed. Until the end, they would do the saline and I’m like, I just close my eyes, they’re like, okay, you can get dressed. I’ll get back, dress back up and I’m like, okay, like, until my mom was like, you can open your eyes. Like, it looks normal now.
And I was like, okay. And I opened my eyes and I was like, it’s not that bad. It’s not that bad. I have some scars, but it’s not bad. But that’s how, that’s what worked with me. And I was young.
Dorothy: How did you tell your husband?
Montserrat: My husband was, we were already together.
Dorothy: Already together.
Montserrat: Yeah, we were already together. I have an amazing husband. Um, we weren’t married at the time. But, uh, he was there on my surgery day. Uh, we were already living together. Uh, we had bought a townhome. And we were, like, fixing it up. Like, [00:31:00] we’ve been hustling since we’ve been together. He’s just amazing. And, uh, he was there the day of the surgery.
I could tell it was really hard for him. Uh, especially when, um, things kind of turned with, like, my heart. I could see, like, the fear in his eyes.
Dorothy: Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Montserrat: But, oh man, he went through it all with me. He, he like, helped me so much with recovery. Reassuring me, you know, that I was still beautiful. That I was okay, and that my scars just, they’re a reminder of how strong I was. My husband is amazing.
Dorothy: Oh my god, it was so beautiful. That’s such a wise thing to say.
Montserrat: It’s amazing. And when I got home from the conference, I was like, I met Dorothy! He was like, who’s Dorothy? I was like, [00:32:00] she’s like, she helped found The Rose. And I was just like, and he was like, oh my God, that’s insane. He was like, that’s insane. Like, it’s been over a decade now. And I don’t know. The Rose. He’s been with me through it all. So, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for him.
Dorothy: Oh, absolutely.
Montserrat: I’m like, I think with me, we’ve had a lot more. Like, you know, every couple has like challenges. For me, it’s been my health. That was like the biggest one. Uh, recently I was diagnosed with RA. Oh. So, he’s been through it. Through it all.
Dorothy: Oh, sweet.
Montserrat: So, it’s been an incredible journey with him. And I am so grateful for him and that God put him in my life. Because he is amazing. It’s [00:33:00] amazing.
Dorothy: Well now tell me what your hope is for your own son. Do you hope to have other children?
Montserrat: I do. I want to have, I’ve always dreamed of myself having a little girl. I want a little girl, um, and I said I was going to name her Elizabeth because of Elizabeth Bonovis. I love the name but it’s just like, It just means a lot to me. Um, my son’s name is Ezekiel, so it kind of goes well together as well. Uh, I do want a little girl, but if I had So, we’re gonna try for one more. Whatever it is, I’ll be grateful, but I’ve always just imagined myself with a little girl.
Dorothy: Well, I think even wanting to name her that is a, is your gift back to the doctor. I mean, my goodness, that says a lot.
Montserrat: Yeah.
Dorothy: Yeah.
Montserrat: She means a lot to me.
Dorothy: Oh, yes. You haven’t seen her lately or in the—
Montserrat: I never saw her again. [00:34:00] It took me a while to even figure out her full name. Even past, um, like the last surgery. Um, I knew she was Dr. Bonefas, so. And And like I told you, once I got out of that surgery room, once I fully recovered, I was high speed.
Dorothy: Oh yeah.
Montserrat: I was like, nothing’s bringing me down. Uh, like I am just straight to what I want to accomplish, what I want to do with myself, with my life, uh, the success that I want to have. And I was busy. I had no time for anything. I was just like taking classes, taking classes. By the time I knew it, I had graduated.
I got married in between that, that whole craziness. And then I was pregnant and I was like, I was already working in the education system. I was the vice president for one of the organizations at U of H. And I got job offers, and I was like, [00:35:00] I want to stay in the education field. It feels like I can do something, right? Uh, like, that means more. And that’s where I’ve been at different school districts, ISD. This is my first charter. Um, yeah. But it’s been an incredible journey.
Dorothy: Well, and that’s the other thing that you’re telling all young people. You know, don’t let things stop you. Keep, keep shooting for that goal. You’re gonna make it. And even with the health problems you’ve had, you know, that’s a pretty big statement. You’ve got to keep going.
Montserrat: You have to. You have to. Um, just this year, like I said, I was diagnosed with RA. Uh, it was hard. It was hard because I don’t know anyone with RA, and I was feeling all these pains that I’ve never felt before. I was unable to move for some time. Uh, and I had my role, and I have a team of people that, you know, [00:36:00] that report to me and that need my support, and I need theirs. And I was like, At a point, I was like, maybe I’m not going to be able to work again. Maybe this is going to like, be the end of me, right? Uh, and I felt that way at a point because I couldn’t move my hands at all.
Dorothy: Yeah. It’s very scary.
Montserrat: It’s extremely scary. And I remember saying, no, like we have to figure it out. And this time, Dorothy, I think it was because I had a kid now. It was so hard for me to get the help. Like, I wasn’t so like, let’s just go do it.
Cause I was like, oh my God, if something’s wrong, who’s gonna, like, if something does happen to me, what’s gonna happen to my son? So at first I was like, we have to, I was like, it’s, like, it’s just temporary. I was blaming everything and anything in the world. I was like, it’s what I’m eating, it’s the cheese, it’s this and that.
Uh, and it [00:37:00] wasn’t until I was like, no, I’m going to say it. It took me two months, and it was like when I couldn’t move, and I was like, something is wrong. And I, now I had health insurance, now I had all the resources in the world, but I was so scared. Um, and my PCP was like, It’s most likely this, get the bloodwork. It was that. I found a great rheumatologist, so, but it didn’t stop me, you know.
Dorothy: Hey, I have no doubt that you’re going to beat that too.
Montserrat: It did not stop me. It did not stop me. Now I’m feeling better than ever.
Dorothy: Oh, good.
Montserrat: I’ve been in treatment for like four months, so I’m feeling better than ever, and I’m like, okay, what’s next? Like.
Dorothy: I tell you what, all I see for you is success, getting better, being healthy.
Montserrat: Definitely.
Dorothy: You’re a strong, determined woman.
Montserrat: I.
Dorothy: Yeah.
Montserrat: I will tell you that. Too determined sometimes I can be annoying.
Dorothy: No, no, no. [00:38:00] So this is really the first time you’ve ever shared your toe story.
Montserrat: I’ve never shared my story besides with the people that I know.
Dorothy: I’m so honored that you shared with us and that you’ve been so willing to let perfect strangers hear your story because it is so important.
Montserrat: I don’t think I would do it for anyone else, Dorothy. I think this organization means a lot. It was the beginning and they put everything into place for, well God of course, but. The people in your, in your organization, they put all the building blocks for me and my mom to be able to.
Dorothy: That’s our job.
Montserrat: Yeah. So.
Dorothy: But it’s because we, we have people like you that we’re so grateful. And it’s because just like you now, you want to give back.
Montserrat: I do.
Dorothy: And support us. So this is truly for full circle.
Montserrat: This is, yeah, I think. [00:39:00]
Dorothy: You don’t know who this podcast is going to impact. We don’t know what young woman is going to hear it, or mother of some young woman who knows something is going on. So I can’t thank you enough for coming in and sharing and—
Montserrat: Thank you for having me me. It really means a lot.
Dorothy: Being so open and willing. You’re gonna do just great in this life, I swear.
Montserrat: Thank you.
Dorothy: I’m so, so, I’m so honored to know you.
Montserrat: Likewise, likewise. True blessing.
Post-Credits: Thank you for joining us today on Let’s Talk About Your Breasts. This podcast is produced by Speke Podcasting and brought to you by The Rose. Visit therose.org to learn more about our organization. Subscribe to our podcast, share episodes with friends, and join the conversation on social media using #Let’sTalkAboutYourBreasts. We welcome your feedback and suggestions. Consider supporting The Rose. Your gift can make the difference to a person in [00:40:00] need. And remember, self Breast care is not selfish, it’s essential.
