When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. I discovered a lump in my left breast after experiencing pain and an extreme tightening feeling for over a year. I kept getting it checked and was told they couldn’t find anything “wrong” with me.
What type of breast cancer?
Stage 3 Ductal Carcinoma. It started as ductal carcinoma in situ.
Can you share your breast cancer journey with us, from detection to life as a thriver?
In 2007, I started feeling pain in my left breast; I went to the emergency room several times thinking something was wrong with my heart. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong, and they couldn’t medically find anything wrong with me. After a year of feeling odd pains, I found a lump in my left breast, near my nipple. I went to a breast surgeon in Houston and had a mammogram and ultrasound. I was told it was nothing and needed to follow up in a year.
In early 2009, I went for a well-woman check, and my doctor was doing a breast check. She found the lump and said she didn’t like how it felt. She sent me to another breast surgeon. They did a needle aspiration biopsy and rushed the pathology. I was diagnosed the next day. I had a lumpectomy where they excised the tumor. It was rather large and all margins were found to be positive. I was told I had to remove my left breast. After consulting with my doctor extensively, I opted to remove both breasts out of precaution.
My first step was to go through IVF to preserve eggs, in case I wanted to have children at a later time. I then had a bilateral mastectomy and had 18 lymph nodes removed on my left side. My lymph nodes were positive, and a large portion of the tissue was malignant; so, they diagnosed me with Stage 3. After healing from my mastectomy, I started chemotherapy. I had a cardiac reaction to one of the drugs during my first infusion. So, that changed my chemotherapy regimen. I had 16 treatments in total over 6 months.
This happened 14 years ago this year. I moved to Grand Cayman 7 years ago, and found the Breast Cancer Foundation, which has offered me support groups, advice, and friendship!
Were there any side effects from medication that you’d like to share?
Many and I still feel different today. Chemotherapy has very long-term effects that nobody tells you about. It has forever changed my body.
What support did you receive from family, friends and the community during your breast cancer journey?
While I didn’t go through my journey here, my family and friends were incredible. I couldn’t have gotten through most days without them. It was very tough.
Would you like to share advice for early detection and information for breast cancer patients?
Listen to your body and instincts. If you know something isn’t right, demand answers from your physicians and keep pushing until you get the answers you need. I will also say that self-breast exams are crucial, and women should start early! I was diagnosed at age 36 and met many other patients that were below the age of 40.
What is life as a breast cancer thriver like?
My body just isn’t the same and never will be, but I feel very blessed to be here.
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
“WE MAY ENCOUNTER MANY DEFEATS BUT WE MUST NOT BE DEFEATED.”
– MAYA ANGELOU