I found my lump by chance when I felt something along my bra band line under my breast. My heart just sunk, and I was in disbelief that my worst fear was now happening to me. I reacted fast and two days later I got in for a mammogram followed by an ultrasound. My 2cm. lump did not show up on the mammogram images and it was thought to be just a cyst, but I insisted on a needle biopsy right then and there. 2 days later, I received the call from my doctor. I'm 41 and I have breast cancer... I was numb; all I can think about is my son and now had to tell my husband who just totally broke down in tears.
I met with my surgeon who told me that I have a rare and aggressive form of cancer, Triple Negative Breast Cancer that doesn't respond to hormone therapy. I knew I was in for a fight and had to be strong and stay focused. I was Stage 2 with no node invoIvement. I opted for a lumpectomy, followed by an intense cocktail chemotherapy every other week for 3½ months and then 33 radiation treatments.
Nearing the end of my treatments I felt lost, life after cancer treatments is a lot harder than when i was going through it. I've been struggling some... the life I once had, there's no going back to... so many changes that I had to learn to cope with. Fatigue, diet, lifestyle changes and chemo brain has been challenging affecting my quality of life. I turned to a local cancer wellness center for support, trying to figure out my new "normal" and live again. I am now a 3 year survivor! LIVE LIFE!
Toledo, OH
