Hi my name is Terri, I am 43 years old, and on April 10, 2013, I got the shock of my life. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since my grandmother had it I tried to be vigilant with self exams. In years past I had a cyst and fine needle aspiration and went on my merry way.
In March of 2013, I found another lump and thought for sure it was just another cyst, I will go to the doctor, get my mammogram, and all will be taken care of again. This time after the mammogram it was recommended I get an ultrasound which turned into needing a needle biopsy, at that point I think I knew in the back of my mind something wasn’t right. The wait for the results was very difficult, it gives you time to research which is not a good idea!! but in my case I just couldn’t help myself!!
When I finally got the call, I was asked to come to the office. I knew right then what my gut was telling me all along, this is no cyst, it was cancer. Sure enough I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. Later I was told that I have a sub type called triple negative breast cancer. I was floored, scared, and confused. Things moved pretty fast after that.
I met with my surgeon and agreed on a lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy, insertion of a port for chemo, and after chemo, radiation. I had my surgery and found out I was stage IIb, grade 3 and the tumor was 3.5 cm with lymph node involvement. I was still in shock and my head was spinning with all the information, all the appointments, and the new lingo that needed to be learned. It overwhelmed me and still does!!
The plan of attack is 16 weeks of AC-T chemo, I just finished my last AC treatment and will be starting the new one August 7th. I can honestly say I have never faced anything as difficult as this. Chemo really kicked my butt and pushed me to dig deep and keep fighting. I have been pushed mentally, physically, and spiritually. Cancer takes so much from you, but when I am feeling down about gaining weight, or being bald, or just feeling hopeless, I don’t let it last long because this is all temporary. For some reason I have been chosen to take this journey and I take it one day at a time. I choose to fight like a girl and one day this will all be a distant memory. My only hope is along the way I helped at least one person with there journey as well.
My story may not be a power story, but I am always happy to share my story, and it’s helpful to know I am not alone. I am always in awe of the others who have paved the way and fought their battles and shared their experience with me, it gives me hope, strength, and courage. To all those who are battling, keep fighting the good fight…..like a girl 🙂
Terri
California
Submitted 08/05/2013
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.
Hang in there Terri, and thanks for sharing your story! Keep up the good fight!
Thank you for sharing your story Terri. I was diagnosed in November of 2012, and like you was given the even worse news that it was triple negative breast cancer. Went through lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. Thakfully for me, the node biopsy was negative. Tumor was 1.9. Had a port put in and had 8 rounds of chemo, the first 4 being with “the red devil” which knocked me for a loop too. Finished chemo June 24 and started radiation July 25. I’m now doing the last few treatments with boost radiation. This is such a hard journey we have to go through. It has opened my eyes about life and makes me appreciate things so much more. Those of us with TNBC can’t fight it like someone who is not TN, but we do know how to FIGHT LIKE A GIRL, and that’s what we are doing. Good luck. I hope we hear the words CANCER FREE when all the treatments are done.