“Good Morning America” correspondent Amy Robach says she plans a Dec. 2 return to work after undergoing a mastectomy on both breasts to battle cancer she discovered during an on-camera health segment.
Robach agreed to undergo the first televised mammogram on Oct. 30 to raise awareness about testing. She said cancer survivor Robin Roberts convinced her it might save lives. She never guessed the life she would save would be her own.
Also read: ABC News’ Amy Robach Discovers Breast Cancer With On-Air Mammogram
Robach said the bilateral mastectomy turned out to be the right course of action, because her doctor discovered a second tumor during the process.
“My prognosis is good, I got very lucky finding the cancer through our ABC sponsored mammogram and I got lucky choosing an aggressive approach, bilateral mastectomy, because while in surgery last week my surgeon found a second, undetected malignant tumor,” she said in a message to colleagues. “No MRI, no mammogram, no sonogram had found it…it was only through the mastectomy that she discovered it. My cancer had spread to my sentinel lymph node, but not beyond, so I will have more treatments ahead of me, but none that will take me out of work. As of right now, I plan to head back into the building Monday, December 2nd and I couldn’t be more excited to get back to work.”
Also read: Watch the Mammogram That Saved ABC News’ Amy Robach (Video)
She also said future treatments won’t keep her from her job.
“As of right now, I plan to head back into the building Monday, December 2nd, and I couldn’t be more excited to get back to work,” she wrote.
Read her full message:
Happy Friday Everyone!
It may be cold and gloomy outside today but it is warm and sunny in my world. This message is long overdue…it has been weighing heavily on me how much gratitude I owe each and every one of you. The unbelievable outpouring of support from ABC began from the first moment I received my diagnosis. Phone calls, emails, cards, flowers, blankets, care packages, food, pajamas, slippers, help with insurance, medical advice….The list goes on and on…It was truly overwhelming how many of you thought of everything anyone could possibly want or need during a time of medical crisis. It brought so many tears of joy to my eyes and warmed my heart more than you’ll ever know to see what my ABC family did for me and for my entire family. In fact, there have been so many emails, it may take me weeks to get back to each and every one of you!
Physically and emotionally I have been through the ringer, but I am emerging on the other side so much stronger. I have a greater appreciation for life, for health and for how such simple acts of kindness can be so incredibly powerful. I am looking through a different lens now…and I am thankful for that as well. There was my life before October 30th and now my life after.
My prognosis is good, I got very lucky finding the cancer through our ABC sponsored mammogram and I got lucky choosing an aggressive approach, bilateral mastectomy, because while in surgery last week my surgeon found a second, undetected malignant tumor. No MRI, no mammogram, no sonogram had found it…it was only through the mastectomy that she discovered it. My cancer had spread to my sentinel lymph node, but not beyond, so I will have more treatments ahead of me, but none that will take me out of work. As of right now, I plan to head back into the building Monday, December 2nd and I couldn’t be more excited to get back to work.
Your support and love has made this all an experience that has given me the strength to fight the fear and hopefully help others do the same in the days/weeks/years to come!
With much love,
Amy