EMC's Breast Cancer Medical Fund
Donation protected
Hello my family, friends and everyone else reading my story. I'll start off with introducing myself and sharing a little bit more about my life. First off, I'm Eliza! Some friends will call me E, Eli, Li, or know me as EMC.
I'm 29 years old and diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer.
I thought January 2016 was off to a great start. I just came back from the holidays celebrating New Years at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando and spent a few days in Atlanta for my first time. Prior to my trip, I met with my doctor to do an annual checkup. To be honest, I have not had a check up in a few years (I advice everyone to get one every year). I was never a big fan of going to the hospital or meeting doctors. That has now all changed.
After my recent checkup in December my primary care doctor noticed a small lump on my right breast. I went through the process of having an ultrasound first to make sure it was not a cyst. Not once did it ever cross my mind I would have a tumor. The first week of January, I had biospy #1. The following Monday, the nurse called me to meet with the doctor at the end of the day. Again, it did not cross my mind that it was going to be bad news.
After waiting over an hour in the lobby, I was starting to worry what type of news I was going to hear. I was a little anxious but still hoping for some positive news that it is not related to Cancer. As I sat on top of the exam table, the doctor told me right away that the biopsy is a tumor and I am diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Within an instant tears fell down my face and I smiled and said "well thats not good news." I was shocked and hoped it was all a joke. I did not know what to think and I knew there was going to be a ton of questions, thoughts racing through my mind and of course the why does this have to happen to me statement.
Since the day I was first diagnosed on January 11, 2016, I felt, and still feel like, I have been on a neverending rollercoaster - where my days are up and down constantly, more days down than I'd like it to be. I started off with one hospital who first diagnosed me and after receiving advice, I decided to get a second opinion. Luckily, I listened and decided to move forward with receiving treatment at UCSD in La Jolla. What won me over was the staff, doctors and the facility itself having a Breast Cancer department + Cancer facility in one location.
Ever since January a lot has changed. I've had 4 biopsys, 2 MRIs, 3 ER visits, different body scans, met with over 6 different speciality doctors including a liver specialist, and currently participating in 2 research studies. Moving forward with UCSD, it was best for me to start with my chemotheraphy first. After 2 and a half months of doctor visits and scans it was time to start my first round of chemotheraphy on April 6, 2016.
Due to my age and the size of the tumor, my Oncologist informed me I will have a total of 16 sessions of chemotherapy. The first round was every week for the first 12 sessions. On August 10th, I will start my second round of treatment which will be biweekly over the next two months. Just when I thought it would be over, I still have a couple more surgeries and recovery ahead of me.
I want to start a GoFundMe page to share my personal story and my experiences so far. Breast Cancer affects a lot of people all over the world - whether it be your mom, sister, aunt, grandma or friend. For me, this is all new. My family and I have not been through an experience like this before. I used to cry everyday and wonder how and why is this happening to me. I have a few breakdowns here and there which is normal. Now, I think about what is more important and that is to continue to be optimistic and focusing on my future. Cancer does not define me. I still have a life to look forward to. I know I have some restraints due to chemotherapy but I'm okay with that now. Although, I'm taking a few steps back, I know I will make one leap forward after this experience.
Along with my GoFundMe page I also launched a T-shirt campaign - represent.com/emcstrong. Both campaigns will benefit in raising money for my medical bills. I've already received so much love and support from my family, friends and colleagues. Now when I cry, it's because of all the happiness I feel surrounded by such positive and thoughtful people. I was worried in the beginning sharing my story to friends and strangers. I've let go of that fear because it's important to me to build awareness. It can happen to anyone even if you do not have the gene in your family history and even if you are under 30.
Thank You in advance for your donation and allowing me to open up and share what I've been through these past 7 months. I'm truly grateful for all the support everyone has given me so far.
#EMCstrong
I'm 29 years old and diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer.
I thought January 2016 was off to a great start. I just came back from the holidays celebrating New Years at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando and spent a few days in Atlanta for my first time. Prior to my trip, I met with my doctor to do an annual checkup. To be honest, I have not had a check up in a few years (I advice everyone to get one every year). I was never a big fan of going to the hospital or meeting doctors. That has now all changed.
After my recent checkup in December my primary care doctor noticed a small lump on my right breast. I went through the process of having an ultrasound first to make sure it was not a cyst. Not once did it ever cross my mind I would have a tumor. The first week of January, I had biospy #1. The following Monday, the nurse called me to meet with the doctor at the end of the day. Again, it did not cross my mind that it was going to be bad news.
After waiting over an hour in the lobby, I was starting to worry what type of news I was going to hear. I was a little anxious but still hoping for some positive news that it is not related to Cancer. As I sat on top of the exam table, the doctor told me right away that the biopsy is a tumor and I am diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Within an instant tears fell down my face and I smiled and said "well thats not good news." I was shocked and hoped it was all a joke. I did not know what to think and I knew there was going to be a ton of questions, thoughts racing through my mind and of course the why does this have to happen to me statement.
Since the day I was first diagnosed on January 11, 2016, I felt, and still feel like, I have been on a neverending rollercoaster - where my days are up and down constantly, more days down than I'd like it to be. I started off with one hospital who first diagnosed me and after receiving advice, I decided to get a second opinion. Luckily, I listened and decided to move forward with receiving treatment at UCSD in La Jolla. What won me over was the staff, doctors and the facility itself having a Breast Cancer department + Cancer facility in one location.
Ever since January a lot has changed. I've had 4 biopsys, 2 MRIs, 3 ER visits, different body scans, met with over 6 different speciality doctors including a liver specialist, and currently participating in 2 research studies. Moving forward with UCSD, it was best for me to start with my chemotheraphy first. After 2 and a half months of doctor visits and scans it was time to start my first round of chemotheraphy on April 6, 2016.
Due to my age and the size of the tumor, my Oncologist informed me I will have a total of 16 sessions of chemotherapy. The first round was every week for the first 12 sessions. On August 10th, I will start my second round of treatment which will be biweekly over the next two months. Just when I thought it would be over, I still have a couple more surgeries and recovery ahead of me.
I want to start a GoFundMe page to share my personal story and my experiences so far. Breast Cancer affects a lot of people all over the world - whether it be your mom, sister, aunt, grandma or friend. For me, this is all new. My family and I have not been through an experience like this before. I used to cry everyday and wonder how and why is this happening to me. I have a few breakdowns here and there which is normal. Now, I think about what is more important and that is to continue to be optimistic and focusing on my future. Cancer does not define me. I still have a life to look forward to. I know I have some restraints due to chemotherapy but I'm okay with that now. Although, I'm taking a few steps back, I know I will make one leap forward after this experience.
Along with my GoFundMe page I also launched a T-shirt campaign - represent.com/emcstrong. Both campaigns will benefit in raising money for my medical bills. I've already received so much love and support from my family, friends and colleagues. Now when I cry, it's because of all the happiness I feel surrounded by such positive and thoughtful people. I was worried in the beginning sharing my story to friends and strangers. I've let go of that fear because it's important to me to build awareness. It can happen to anyone even if you do not have the gene in your family history and even if you are under 30.
Thank You in advance for your donation and allowing me to open up and share what I've been through these past 7 months. I'm truly grateful for all the support everyone has given me so far.
#EMCstrong
Organizer
Eliza Marie Cuevas
Organizer
San Diego, CA