When I was diagnosed I was 40 years old and at the end of my second semester of nursing school in May 2013. I had never had a mammogram before, but happened to notice that the skin and pores on my right breast looked different than the left. I had also been measured and purchased new bras at the beginning of February 2013 and my right breast had gotten larger so that my new bras did not fit. I went from noticing something was wrong to starting chemotherapy in a matter of three weeks. In those three weeks, I had a MUGA scan, PET scan, CT scan, transvaginal ultrasound, and had a port placed. I spent my summer vacation from school going to chemotherapy. I was able to attend nursing classes half time this fall, even though I took off two weeks for a double mastectomy. I am scheduled to start my radiation treatments on November 25 and started my last year of chemotherapy two weeks ago.
My family and my classmates have been incredible during this whole adventure. I lived with my parents in their spare bedroom for the summer and after surgery, while keeping my college apartment. I have not worked very many hours since this all started. Initially, because I had some sort of appointment almost every day of the week and later because of the side effects of the chemotherapy and the medications to treat those side effects. My sisters and their families have been very supportive, although it makes me a little sad that the little kids know what the pink ribbon stands for, but they are so proud to show me pink things they have because of me. My classmates check up on me all the time to make sure I don't need anything. This picture of me is at a party they had for me at the beginning of October, after my last primary chemotherapy treatment, before my surgery.
Grand Forks, ND
