April 1, 2008 was the worst April Fools joke ever... but sadly, it wasn't a joke. A lump was found in my right breast and a biopsy ensued. On April 7, 2008 my life was forever changed. I was diagnosed with stage IIIB Inflammatory Breast Cancer, a rare and very aggressive form of Breast Cancer found in less than 5% of all Breast Cancer diagnosis.
I was 32 years old. I was the mother of a 1 1/2 year old son. I was 15 weeks pregnant with a baby girl. I was scared. In order to better treat my aggressive form of cancer (IBC), my husband and I made the agonizing decision to give up our baby. A decision we wish upon no one, but it was clear our baby girl was my guardian angel. It was a routine 4 month pre-natal checkup with my OB/GYN that revealed the lump in my right breast.
November 21, 2008, after 6 months of chemotherapy and a surgery in which my right breast and 18 level I & II lymph nodes were removed, I was declared clinically and pathologically CANCER FREE. 2009 began with 28 sessions of radiation, and while I still have 2 more months of Herceptin treatments and two more surgeries (a left side mastectomy and dual reconstruction) in the next 12 months,
I know how lonely breast cancer can make you feel, but I also know how great the cancer community is at helping others. When I was first diagnosed, I was lost. I had many questions, and not enough answers. I quickly learned how important it was to speak with women who had battled, and been down the same road previously. They helped me understand what the coming days, weeks, months and years would be like. Thanks!
Redwood City, CA