Buddy Check 12: Couple Married 47 Years & Never Dated

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Believe it or not, Laura and her sweetie never had a single date. Their family said their marriage would never last.

That was wrong! They've been married 47 years now.

So you can imagine why they're grateful for Buddy Check 12.

Laura found an unusual lump in her breast in the shower. She knew all about Buddy Check 12 and realized something wasn't right.

She says to her fingers the lump felt about a third the length of a hotdog, but harder.

Dr. John Kilkenny at Shands Jacksonville says Laura's breast cancer is ductal carcinoma.

The good news is doctors were able to shrink it by about two-thirds with chemotherapy before surgery.

Laura's surgery on October 2nd at Shands went well, according to her family. Doctors told them no cancer showed up in the lymph nodes and the margins of tissue around the cancer are clear.

Click on the video to hear Dr. Kilkenny talk about advances used now for breast cancer and technology he sees coming down the pike.

Now the local couple is looking to their 50th wedding anniversary in three years. Laura's fighting her breast cancer with the vision of dancing at that huge celebration.

Laura's daughter, Teechee, says her mom--just two miles down the road---is her best friend. Teechee encourages all women to do self exams through Buddy Check 12.

If you want a free Buddy Check 12 kit just call 904-202-CARE to our partners, Baptist Medical Center.

If you can't afford a mammogram, call our M-Line at 1-877-9-MY-MAMO.

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