I am 32 years old and was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in August 2011. I found my own cancer through a routine monthly self exam. At my age, no one expected it to be cancer. I do have some family history with emphasis being on my Aunt Lisa who died in 1999 at the age of 36 of breast cancer. She was 31 when she was diagnosed. My chemo doctor has ordered the genetic testing to see if the cancer gene is being passed down.
It was a devastating diagnosis as all I could think about was my 2 little boys and my husband and how this all would effect them. I was so angry that this was happening and thoughts of my boys having to grow up without their Mom were unbearable. Luckily, I found mine very early so it hadn’t had a chance to spread anywhere. My lymph nodes were clean and my P.E.T scan came back clear. After 3 surgeries, they were able to get my margins clear and still were able to save my breast.
I started chemo on Oct. 11th and I have 3 more to go with my next one being on Nov. 5th. Just a few days ago my hair fell out all at once. That was almost as devasting as the initial diagnosis. Showering and just watching the hair come out in massive clumps made me completely sad. I am still mourning my hair. I know it sounds so silly but it is so hard to let that go. I know it will come back and everyone is so supportive but it is still very difficult.
Through this whole thing, I have come to realize how wonderful my family and friends are. I have an incredible husband who supports me and tells me everyday how beautiful I am and how much he loves me. I have an amazing group of girl friends who are helping me Fight Like a Girl every single day. My Grandmother, who is a 17 year survivor, my Mother, and my wonderful sisters have helped me stay on my feet and find the strength. My 2 little boys are the whole reason for my being and I am determined to be here to see them graduate from high school and college, get married, have babies and all of the other wonderful things they will do.
Everyday is a challenge but with a positive attitude we can do anything. If we all ban together and Fight Like Girls together, there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish. I love all of my Pink Sisters out there!
Please remember that early detection is the key to survival!!
Kristin
Arizona
Submitted 10-27-11
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.
Kristin,
I can only imagine what your experiencing. I can relate to your feelings about your hair, I have a very dear friend who is fighting mesothelioma and going through chemo he is so worried about his hair. I have to tell you are just one of the reasons why I had a pink ribbon and fight like a girl sticker added to my dream car a 2012 Mustang Kona. The pink ribbon is handed painted. Keep fighting! You can beat this, just believe. I can tell you have a beautiful spirit.
Kristin you are an amazing lady!! Keep your faith and keep your head up. I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38 on may 16 2012 it hit me like a brick wall. I had a masectomy on may 23 and I go June 15 to see what kind of treatments I will have to have. I know personally how your mind can run wild with you. I will tell you one thing it will make you stronger and appreciate life even more. Family and friends and the good Lord above will give us strength. Keep fighting like a girl!!!!!! Smile every chance you can.
Kristin is my sister n law she is an amazing beautiful woman her strength and positive outlook on life is so inspiring I love her with all my heart I thank God for bringing her to our lives keep fighting like a girl we will be right beside you every step of the way
Kristin,
Keep your head held high and a smile on your face I know it is tough to do considering all you have been through! I also was 32 when I was diagnosed I have 4 children and I know what thoughts cross your mind when your going through treatments and surgeries! Stay Strong keep smiling cuz no one can take your smile! Your hair will groww back mine is finally coming back in and I am happy to get up in the morning with my (Justin Bieber hair) that’s what my 5 year old calls it because it sticks straight up! Look at how far you’ve come and give those babies a great big hug! You have a wonderful support system it sounds like!!!
Kristin,
I am you in the future! Our stories are so similar! I was also 32, happily married with two small children. I found it early (or at least my husband did) 🙂 I only had to have one surgery but along with chemo I also had radiation. (Oh and I was devastated when all my hair fell out in the shower that morning). My children were my reason to get out of bed and with my wonderful husband, family and friends I was able to get though the scariest time in my life. I was diagnosed in 2001 and am 11 years clean. I now have a third child after being told that I would probably not have more. Life is definitely good on the other side. I wish you well and totally agree that with a positive attitude we can do anything!!
Kristin
It has been 8 months since my diagnosis and it has been a whirlwind of biopses,double lumpectomy and lymph node removal. 4 months of chemo therapy and swiftly after having to face a double mastectomy followed by reconstruction. ( the latter was performed 3 weeks ago)
The day I received my chemo schedule, I had hubby shave my head to avoid the shock I know I would get and I’m sure it’s the same one you got too.
I just wanted to stop by really to say that the fight doen’t stop, but your strength to fight it will grow immensely!!!
Keep a positive mind and attitude, it helps greatly in healing your body. Rest plenty also….none of us are wonder women so when the body tells you to lay down, then lay down…just make a point of getting back up after resting!!
Love yourself…I did, complete with my bloating, nail loss, gum recession et al from chemo drugs. My bald head which I never covered…it was part of who I am and I would be darned of I was gonna hide it.
You know you have the courage to meet this disease head on but I am sending you a huge hug that you can keep in reserve should you ever need it.
Feel free to get in touch…I have a facebook page listed under Anji’s Fight 🙂 xxx
It looks like this post was written some time ago; I hope you are doing well Kristen and through treatments. Your comments on family support are so true. In the midst of a crisis, it’s good to know you can depend on those you most love.
Kristin,
I hope this finds you are doing well in your Breast Cancer Journey. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 10/23/11, my mammogram did not detect it, I also found mine in a self-eval in the shower. I actually found mine back in 2008 the first time and was told it was normal breast tissue, and by personal choice I had a double masectomy w/reconstruction ’cause it’s in my family; both one of my Aunts and her daughter (my cousin) same age as me – 46, also both found theirs in a self-eval, and all three of ours’ was in only the right breast. They both were able to only have lumpectomys’. I am also going to have the genetic testing done to see if I have the bracka (not sure if spelled correctly) gene, because I have 3 children, a son turning 21 in Dec, and 2 daughters ages 15 1/2 and the oldest turning 19 the 26th of this month. I am the youngest of 4 girls, and our oldest sister was also diagnosed 3 weeks before my Breast Cancer diagnosis with Uterine Cancer. We are both now Cancer Free!!!! I had 6 1/2 weeks of radiation, no initial chemo, but am now on Tamoxifen for the next 5 yrs.. one a day. My sister had NO radiation and NO chemo, hers was confined to one pollup, and all she had was a full hysterectomy– we were both SO BLESSED! All thanks to GOD and all the many prayers from friends and family! KEEP FIGHTING LIKE A GIRL and you will beat this too! Love and Hugs are on their way to my new Pink Sister, I’ll be keeping you in my daily thoughts and prayers! I’m on Facebook as Darlene Staats Batchelor, and if you’d like to- I’d love to keep in touch with you! : )
HELLO ……KRISTIN… READ YOUR STOR Y ND SORRY TO HEAR YOU HAVE HAD TO GO THRU THIS…IT SOUNDS AS IF YOU HAVE GOOD SUPPORTERS AND THAT I S VERY IMPORTANT ALWAYS!!!
I HAD BREAST CANCER 2012….I HAD LEFT MASTECTOMY AND 6 ROUNDS OF CHEMO AND 28 ROUNDS OF RADIATION TREATMENTS….MY HAIR START COMING OUT IN CLUMPS TOO. I KNOW HOW THIS BOTHERS YOU, AS IT DID ME ALSO…I WAS VERY DEPRESSED…BUT LISTEN: IF U SHAVE UR HEAD OR CUT IT RIGHT AWAY, START LOOKING FOR A REALLY CUTE WIG LIKE UR OWN, OR FIND A IWIG SITE( I LIKE RAQUEL WELCH WIGS…IM STILL WEARING THEM….MOST PEOPLE DONT KNOW, THEY LOOK SO REAL…AND BELIEVE ME, YOU WILL FEEL BETTER…I ORDERED ANOTHER, AND NOW IM GOING SHORT STYLE…NO ONE KNOWS BUT MY DOC…AND HE HAD HARD TIME TELLING IT!!
YOU WILL GET THRU THIS, JUST KEEP UP GOOD WORK….I THOUGHT I WULDNT BUT GOD SAID KEEP UP THE FIGHT/ AND I DID!!! I AM CANCER -FREE NOW…. MIHAH
I was just diagnosed with Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma a couple of weeks ago. I head to Mayo Clinic in Rochester next week for 3 days of testing, and a plan of attack. I have had yearly mammograms since I was 30, but I also found my own lump, it was about 9 months after my last mammo. I am 41, my daughters are 12 & 18.
Carolyn, A one year SURVIVOR here. The hardest journey I have ever endured, but a year later, full head of hair back and NO cancer…YAY!!! You CAN do this! Many many prayers!