My story started when I noticed a breast lump in April 2018. 
At that time I thought it was just a cyst from my cycle since I had one in the past but when it was still there in May I made an appointment with my Ob/Gyn. She said 90% of the lumps she sees are benign so I wasn’t too worried. She sent me for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound that same day. I didn’t think I would get any results that day so I went by myself…turns out that was a BIG mistake. When the radiologist came in after the tests I could tell by the look on his face that I should be worried. He told me I needed a biopsy because he couldn’t rule out cancer from what he saw and that I also had concerning calcifications in my other breast so he wanted me to have both breasts biopsied. While the radiologist did not have any bed-side manner, there was thankfully an ultrasound technician there who comforted me as I proceeded to have a panic attack.
The biopsy was scheduled for May 14th and when my OB called on the 16th to give me the results, I was not surprised when she confirmed it was cancer. The “good news” was that it was only malignant in one breast. Her next comment was, yes that is good news but I would still recommend a double mastectomy. That was the last conversation I have ever had with her as I didn’t believe she should be making that recommendation. Thankfully, God had just placed me at Tennessee Oncology in April as a pharmacy technician at Park Pharmacy. My boss referred me to an oncologist and I met with her the following week. My cancer was triple positive; both hormone receptors were positive as well as being Her 2 positive. After the MRI confirmed the cancer had not spread (Praise GOD) and was not in my lymph nodes, we decided to do chemo first to shrink the tumor and then a lumpectomy and radiation. Further testing revealed I do not carry the breast cancer gene.
Every prayer I sent up during this first scary month of unknowns was answered. I prayed for the calcifications to be benign, answered. I prayed for negative lymph node, answered. I prayed to have a better understanding of the triple positive cancer from my oncologist, answered.
I had 6 cycles of chemo that consisted of 4 different IV medications. Getting through those first 6 treatments was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. There were days when I could barely make it up the stairs in my house. The fatigue is no joke, but God brought me through those horrible days and I know I’m stronger because of it. My white blood cell count stayed high enough so I didn’t have to postpone any treatments. I still thank God for that every day. I’m a type A personality, so I wanted to stay on course and finish the hardest treatments as soon as possible. After those 6 were complete, I had to have IV Herceptin for 1 year to treat the Her 2 positive. What a difference that was from the first 6 cycles! The only side effect I had was hot flashes. My hair started to grow back and I felt so much better.
I had my lumpectomy in November, but they didn’t get clear margins on one side so my
surgeon had to go back in and take out more tissue. On December 18th I was finally cancer free!! Hearing those words after 7 months of hell was amazing! I give God all the glory for bringing me through this diagnosis. He answered every prayer I had.
After radiation, I decided to have a hysterectomy rather than Lupron shots and tamoxifen and I’m so glad I did. I spent one night in the hospital and one week at home before I was back to work and feeling great. I finished my Herceptin on May 24th and was finally able to ring the chemo bell!
With God all things are possible and this past year has proven that over and over again. God placed so many amazing people in my life to support me on this journey. My husband, family and friends have been by my side and helped me with anything I needed. They kept me lifted daily and always made sure I was never alone. I thank God every day for this second chance at life and will never take it for granted.
Tata to Cancer 