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Karina’s Story (Stage 4 Inoperable Triple Negative Breast Cancer)

karinas-story-breast-cancerI am a 50 year old young woman who was diagnosed with this ugly disease approximately two years ago. This July 2nd will be the two year anniversary of my very first chemo treatment. I vividly remember the oncologist appointment, my husband and I were both very nervous as we didn’t know what expect. I knew going in that I had to fight hard, so I have been fighting like a woman this whole time.

Everyone says, ‘be strong, you’ve got this.’ Well, you know what? There are so many days when I don’t feel strong and I really, really don’t got this! What I have learned is that people drop off after a while. I don’t know if it’s because they think you are doing well and don’t need the support, or if they just can’t handle what is actually happening.

So here I am, two years after my first chemo treatment and I have roughly 80+ treatments under my belt. I’m grateful for my husband who has been by my side every minute, he is my rock.

Karina
TN
Submitted 06/17/2021

This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

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3 comments

  1. Linda Taggart

    As a fellow Stage IV TN BC metaplastic patient I hear you and applaud you

  2. Karen

    Hi Karina! I’m a stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer patient and was first diagnosed at 40 years old and reoccurrence at 47 years old. People really don’t know what to say so they offer words of encouragement, which is okay. You learn who your true friends are when you need them the most. People think your in remission so everything is fine but they have no clue what the side effects of Chemo and radiation does to your body mentally and physically and they can last for years after treatments. The side effects from other treatments and drugs can be even worse on your body.

    You are a Warrior!
    Prayers for you and your family.

    • Karina Cotter

      Hi Karen,
      My sister, you are so right. People don’t know unless they are in the fight.
      Thank you for your kind words, and all the best to you with your own fight.
      Karina

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