I was 31 years old (2008) when I found a lump in my right breast. I didn’t think about the possibility of it being cancer because breast cancer didn’t run in my family. I went to my gynecologist to get it looked at and he told me that it may or may not be cancer. So, he sent me to get a mammogram and ultrasound done, and within a few days, I was sent to a surgeon to get a biopsy done (12 needle). It was so painful, but then was the dreaded wait for my results – two weeks to be exact, longest two weeks of my life. Finally, my surgeon called me back for an appointment and I was so scared of what the out come was going to be. I stayed strong trying to not let it bother me until I was sure that it was cancer.
So as the appointment went on, he explained to me what kind of biopsy I had and that it came back that I had invasive ductal carcinoma (breast cancer). My head dropped and all I could think about was how to tell my Mom. As the doctor left the room, I started crying and my husband gave me a big hug and said we are going to get through this. Things started to happen so fast like going to the oncologist to see what my plan for chemotherapy was going to be. The next day, I was going into surgery to get a port put in so that I could get my chemo. A week later I stared my chemo and by the end of the week my hair started to fall out, that’s when it really hit me. I ended up having 4 rounds of chemotherapy, then a lumpectomy and after another 4 rounds of chemo. When I finished chemo I had to have 31 rounds of radiation and Herceptin for the following year. It’s been almost 13 years and I’m a SURVIVOR!!!!!
Shannon
TN
Submitted 09/07/2020
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.
Love you sis