Letter from Mrs. Robert Stroud to First Lady Betty Ford Regarding Her Breast Cancer

206 North Donoho Clarksville, Texas December 12, 1974 Dear Mrs. Ford, I am so very sorry that you have had breas cancer and am SO glad that you are doing well. This is just a note to let you know that through the news coverage of your illness, I was led to self-examine myself for the first time because I had always thought that a yearly physical was sufficient. Last March I had my yearly examination was was fine, but as I examined myselfnon October 25th, I found a small lump on the outside of my right breast. I called the doctor about it and themammograms indicated that there was trouble there. I entered the hospital on No- vember 5th and the biopsy showed that there was a malig- nancy. Because of early detection, it was necessary for me to have only a modified mastectomy and no cobalt treatments because the cancer was just within the tumor. Had I waited until spring for my next yearly physical, it probably would have been a different story. I was forty-two years old the day I entered the hospital and have two sons, one a college freshman and the other a 6th grader. My husband is with Civil Serv- ice at the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas. I was in thehospital a week and my recovery has been a speedy one because my general health was excellent and I had never been sick before. I am so thankful to have this behind me and hope and pray that you will be fine in the days to come. Sincerely, DEC le bw Mrs. Robert strond Mrs. Robert Stroud Fl. FORD GERALD LIBRARY 206 North Donoho Clarksville, Texas 75426 Mrs. Robert Stroud 7919 KSVILLE,TX DEC CPM il 10 STATES Mrs. Gerald Ford The White House Washington, D. C.