Alana's Breast Cancer Fight
Donation protected
On October 31, 2019, Alana was diagnosed with breast cancer.
As Alana's friends and family, we immediately ask ourselves what we can do to support her and the rest of the Cottrill/Prokopec families as she begins this journey. Donating (even a small amount) is a perfect place to start!
To share Alana's words:
I never thought this this is something that I would be posting, but here we are: On Halloween, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Over the summer, we discovered a lump. I brought it up to my OBGYN a few weeks later at my annual, and she wrote it off to a fibrocystic change (I have a history of fibrocystic breasts, so that wasn’t alarming.) Fast forward a few months, and the lump was still there. Being the neurotic person that I am, I scheduled a follow up. Still not overly concerned, my OB referred me to have a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound on 10/25/19. After that appointment, the general consensus was that I had a fibroadenoma (benign) and potentially an old cyst (also benign). On 10/28/19 I had a breast biopsy x2. I took this picture while waiting to go back for my biopsy, thinking that everything was going to be fine. On 10/31/19, I got the call that changed everything: Both spots biopsied were cancer. So far, it seems to just be in my breast (my axillary nodes were clear, which we celebrated as the first small victory!)
I’m posting this not for pity, but to drive home something very important: TRUST YOUR GUT.
I am a 30 year old, non-smoker. I have no significant family history. I had a baby young and breastfed for a really long time. I eat well and I work out regularly. With zero risk factors, this happened to me. Girls, I’m going to say this loud for the people in the back: CHECK YOURSELVES. Please,please do regular exams, and if you find something unusual, call your doctor. If your doctor isn’t concerned, but you’re still concerned, call them again.
I’m so grateful for my friends who have told their stories: Lindsey Patrick and Kelly Eleanor True showed me that cancer knows no bounds, and CAN happen to 30 year olds. Their stories were a reality check for me. Beth Morton’s story of trusting her gut when her concerns were attributed to fibrocystic changes gave me the courage to be persistent.
I will starting chemo in the next few weeks, followed by a bilateral mastectomy (honestly, the chemo scares me more than the mastectomy.) I plan on keeping life as normal as possible (continuing to work and exercise as tolerated, etc), and it’s very important to Sean and I that we keep Hally’s life as normal as possible, so we will not be telling her anything until I start to undergo treatments that cause physical changes. She’s incredibly intuitive and has a tender heart, so we are going to minimize discussion in front of her.
Right now, I’m focusing on all of the positives: I have a whole hell of a lot going for me, despite this diagnosis.
I am young, otherwise healthy, I have an incredible husband, family and an amazing support system. I have a great team of doctors (and already had pre-existing connections with a lot of people that will be instrumental in my care). I have clinical knowledge, I’m stubborn as the day is long, and most importantly, I have tremendous faith in God and the power of prayer.
I’m going to be ok, I have to be for my Hally Caroline and Seaner. Lindsey shared a Robert Frost quote that has helped her through her cancer journey, “The only way out is through.” I WILL get through this.
We are HUGE believers in the power of prayer, please keep my family and me in yours, or send positive energy our way. If you’re looking for specific intentions, please pray that this is confined to just my breast and that treatment goes smoothly. Love y’all. I’m still overwhelmed, so if I don’t respond, please don’t take it personally. Overall, I’m in a good place. It comes in waves, but I’m ready to take this head on and put this season behind me.
As Alana's friends and family, we immediately ask ourselves what we can do to support her and the rest of the Cottrill/Prokopec families as she begins this journey. Donating (even a small amount) is a perfect place to start!
To share Alana's words:
I never thought this this is something that I would be posting, but here we are: On Halloween, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Over the summer, we discovered a lump. I brought it up to my OBGYN a few weeks later at my annual, and she wrote it off to a fibrocystic change (I have a history of fibrocystic breasts, so that wasn’t alarming.) Fast forward a few months, and the lump was still there. Being the neurotic person that I am, I scheduled a follow up. Still not overly concerned, my OB referred me to have a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound on 10/25/19. After that appointment, the general consensus was that I had a fibroadenoma (benign) and potentially an old cyst (also benign). On 10/28/19 I had a breast biopsy x2. I took this picture while waiting to go back for my biopsy, thinking that everything was going to be fine. On 10/31/19, I got the call that changed everything: Both spots biopsied were cancer. So far, it seems to just be in my breast (my axillary nodes were clear, which we celebrated as the first small victory!)
I’m posting this not for pity, but to drive home something very important: TRUST YOUR GUT.
I am a 30 year old, non-smoker. I have no significant family history. I had a baby young and breastfed for a really long time. I eat well and I work out regularly. With zero risk factors, this happened to me. Girls, I’m going to say this loud for the people in the back: CHECK YOURSELVES. Please,please do regular exams, and if you find something unusual, call your doctor. If your doctor isn’t concerned, but you’re still concerned, call them again.
I’m so grateful for my friends who have told their stories: Lindsey Patrick and Kelly Eleanor True showed me that cancer knows no bounds, and CAN happen to 30 year olds. Their stories were a reality check for me. Beth Morton’s story of trusting her gut when her concerns were attributed to fibrocystic changes gave me the courage to be persistent.
I will starting chemo in the next few weeks, followed by a bilateral mastectomy (honestly, the chemo scares me more than the mastectomy.) I plan on keeping life as normal as possible (continuing to work and exercise as tolerated, etc), and it’s very important to Sean and I that we keep Hally’s life as normal as possible, so we will not be telling her anything until I start to undergo treatments that cause physical changes. She’s incredibly intuitive and has a tender heart, so we are going to minimize discussion in front of her.
Right now, I’m focusing on all of the positives: I have a whole hell of a lot going for me, despite this diagnosis.
I am young, otherwise healthy, I have an incredible husband, family and an amazing support system. I have a great team of doctors (and already had pre-existing connections with a lot of people that will be instrumental in my care). I have clinical knowledge, I’m stubborn as the day is long, and most importantly, I have tremendous faith in God and the power of prayer.
I’m going to be ok, I have to be for my Hally Caroline and Seaner. Lindsey shared a Robert Frost quote that has helped her through her cancer journey, “The only way out is through.” I WILL get through this.
We are HUGE believers in the power of prayer, please keep my family and me in yours, or send positive energy our way. If you’re looking for specific intentions, please pray that this is confined to just my breast and that treatment goes smoothly. Love y’all. I’m still overwhelmed, so if I don’t respond, please don’t take it personally. Overall, I’m in a good place. It comes in waves, but I’m ready to take this head on and put this season behind me.
Organizer
Kristen Stacy
Organizer
Lexington, KY
