Home / Power Stories / Kira’s Story (Breast Cancer)

Kira’s Story (Breast Cancer)

Kira's Story (Breast Cancer)Cancer has surrounded me my whole life. Three of my grandparents and an aunt have passed away 20 years ago from cancer. My maternal grandmother and paternal aunt both passed from breast cancer. My father was diagnosed with stage 3 colon in 2008 but with a positive attitude he is now five and a half years in remission.

In October of 2010, my mother was diagnosed with stage 1a invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and went through chemo and radiatio. She had been in remission for two years when it came back in October of 2012 and it had metastasized to her liver, lung, and bowel. I was devastated. My mom was my breast friend. She fought until May of 2013 and passed away at the end of May.

About a month after I buried my mom I started having an achy pain in my left breast and felt what I thought was a lump. I was obviously on heightened alert and called my doctor. I went in and saw my doctor. She said pain was good and with tumors there is no pain but she wanted me to go in for a mammogram and set me up with a breast health surgeon so that I could be followed closely given my family history.

This past August I went in for a mammogram and ultrasound and everything looked okay. I then met with a breast health surgeon and after going over my family history I was put in the high risk category. I was to come back in for a MRI in February. I kept having this on and off pain for the next six months but thought nothing of it, some pain was good.

I went in for my MRI not having a good feeling, still grieving my mom and wishing she was there to hold my hand. A few days later I was in the office getting a biopsy. On February 13, 2013 at the age of 38 I heard the words, “You have stage 3C inflammatory breast cancer” My heart sank. I always knew I would get breast cancer but not this young, especially when I have two young children. I’m still grieving my mom. She hasn’t even been gone a year. I’ve currently had two chemo treatments and have been keeping a positive attitude. I have an amazing support system as well!

Kira
Ohio
Submitted 03/19/2014

The informational content of this article 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.

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.

Check Also

angelas-story-dcis-her2-breast-cancer

Angela’s Story (DCIS/Her2+ Breast Cancer)

Hello, my name is Angela. I was diagnosed with DCIS in August 2023 after a …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *