Even when I went to my doctor, she had trouble finding it herself.
I was 39 years old at the time, andmammogram screenings normally start at the age of 40.
It honestly never occurred to me that I would ever have anything like breast cancer.
Photo courtesy of Marenda Taylor / Designed by Julie Bang / Verywell
My mother came with me for support.
When I heard that word, I knew that meant cancer of some sort and that it wasnt benign.
The doctor eventually asked me, Do you understand that you have breast cancer?
I was simply in shock.
It was aggressive, and it was growing fast.
SinceTNBCis an aggressive cancer, I knew I had to make a decision rather quickly.
I could not continue to allow cancer to grow inside of my bodyI wanted to do something immediately.
I started chemo right away and delayed the salpingo-oophorectomy that was recommended until 2018 (four years).
At that time, I made the decision to have a fullhysterectomy.
So, I didnt really know what I was getting myself into.
My chemo cocktail really took a toll, and I became less able to do things.
I participated in theBreast Cancer Research Foundationsstorytelling campaign, Research Is the Reason, because research saved my life.
But I know we need more, especially for TNBC.
I would go there and watch the airplanes go by.
When I did make it through my treatment, I started working for Delta Airlines.
I became a flight attendant and I set several goals for myself.
Theres this whole myth that youre too young to get cancer, which simply isnt the case.
Ourquality of lifeduring treatment is not something we can afford to ignore.
American Cancer Society.How common is breast cancer?
