Navigating the Unexpected Turns of My Breast Cancer Diagnosis

I wasnt sure how long it had been there, but I immediately knew it wasnt normal.

I called my gynecologist the next day and scheduled an exam, just to be safe.

I also havedense breaststhat can make it difficult to detect breast cancer on a mammogram.

This is when my journey began.

Before that, though, I was going to needchemotherapy, which would target the more aggressive triple-negative growths.

In June 2019, I started chemo to shrink the tumors.

Getting a cancer diagnosis is scary for anyone, but facing treatment is scary in a different way.

The treatment was debilitating, and despite my best efforts, it took over my world.

I had to put my plans on hold while I fought this disease.

In some ways, that was the worst part.

An Unexpected Turn

As November approached, I thought I was nearing the end of my treatment.

Id finished my chemo and radiation, and Id had my lumpectomy.

It turned out that part of the cancer was estrogen-positive, as the doctors had initially thought.

The other part of it was the much more aggressiveHER2-positive kind.

When you have cancer, your life feels like its no longer in your control.

Everything revolves around your treatment, and you could no longer do the things you once took for granted.

That experience can be very isolating, so having people in your corner is critical.

I started ablogdocumenting my experience, and I developed a following of people who were all rooting for me.

Having that sense of community was one of the major factors that helped me get through my treatment.

The second round of chemo was a lot easier on my body.

Ive been cancer-free ever since, although I still see my doctor for follow-up visits every six months.

I often hear cancer compared to a journey, but I dont see it that way.

I see it as a kidnapping.

Cancer hijacks your life.

Thats why its so important to take care of your health and have regular mammograms as you get older.

If something doesnt feel right, contact your doctor and have it checked.

I did, and thats why Im here to tell my story today.