Tish was recently diagnosed in early March with stage 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Breast Cancer, this is her story;

I am triple negative which is considered an aggressive cancer. Triple negative refers to the lack of three specific molecules, called receptors. produced by the breast cancer cells. Most breast cancer cells have a least one of the three receptors that fuel the growth and spread of the disease through recognition which is a cells receptor interact or bind with specific proteins and hormones in a body. Doctors treat breast cancers with these receptors with drugs that interrupt recognition. Triple negative does not have any of these receptors. The drugs targeting these receptors don't work on my type of cancer. Therefore, different drugs must be used

Triple negative breast cancer grows quickly and has a high rate of reoccurrence, making it one of the most aggressive types of cancer. Each individual with triple-negative breast cancer is unique and survival rates depends on several factors, including how far the cancer has spread at the time it is found and how the tumor responds to treatment.

Because of the serious urgency in needing immediate treatment due to severity of this particular cancer spreading I was rushed into immediate treatment.

Unbeknownst to me I really had no previous symptoms when I did I went to the emergency room where I was being examined for a possible blood clot turned in a suspicion of possible breast cancer. After a biopsy of what was originally thought to be an enlarged lymph node they found they were biopsying an actually mass of 5.1 cm surrounded by four enlarged lymph nodes which there was a concern of cancer spreading.

The doctor does not feel it's been there but a few months just a short period of time.

I'm actively receiving very aggressive chemotherapy for 5 months which come with major side effects which have been dibilating to say the least that made it where I was unable to continue to work.

Following chemotherapy I will be scheduled for upcoming double mastetomy surgery along with recovery time; then 6 weeks of radiation to follow; then reconstruction surgery then recovery time again.

Along with this because of the type of cancer I have I will have to ongoing visits to chemotherapy to continue immunotherapy treatment I am already receiving in combination with chemotherapy I am getting now for the next year as extra prevention to kill any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of reoccurence during surgery, radiation and reconstruction surgery.

I have always been proactive with my health with regular screenings and being tested every 5 years to make sure I did not carry any cancer genes especially as a precaution because I lost my mother to this same cancer in 2018. This will be a very long road to recovery for me financially, mentally and emotionally.

This has been a stressful time for me as mechanisms in place to my surprise are already limiting and can/will affect my health care moving forward in reference to my treatment.

Having to worry bout my health, my financial well being and trying to heal all at the same time.

This all came unexpected for me and I am still trying to wrap my head around this diagnosis.

I am deciding to use my diagnosis as an inspiration to others. I want to go through this journey being as positive and joyful as possible just in case somebody I knew or came across was in a similar situation. It's all about perspective. You have to live your life with purpose and keep it moving!

I am humble and thankful for all the thoughts, prayers and support.