Making this page is difficult for me, but I want all of my family and friends to be involved and up to date with everything that is going on. The past couple of weeks have been an intense and scary roller coaster. After losing my mom to breast cancer a little over 4 years ago, I knew that it was nothing to take lightly when I found a lump in my left breast a couple weeks ago. After finding the lump, I was prompted (mainly by my friends and family) to immediately schedule an ultrasound and mammogram. Everyone kept telling me "it's probably just a cyst or something, but get it checked out." I had pretty much convinced myself it was a cyst...I was 26, healthy and happy. After nervously getting an ultrasound and mammogram, the radiologist informed me that she wanted to do a biopsy to "be sure" and "rule out." I could tell she didn't love the scans she was looking at and that it wasn't just a cyst. She told me not to lose any sleep over it and we would figure this out together. If you've never had a breast biopsy, I hope you never have to. After the biopsy, an uncomfortable procedure that I hope no one has to go through, not only was I sore, but I was also pretty scared. I went back to school the next day; unable to concentrate on anything except for the phone call I was anxiously waiting for. When the radiologist called, she asked me how I was and if it was a good time to talk, those are the only words I remember her saying besides "I'm sorry, but it's malignant." I think that was the first time I actually burst into tears since starting this journey.

It's true though; you never actually think it's going to happen to you. It was something that I always thought about in the back of my mind, I knew I needed to be aware and I knew I needed to start getting screened at an earlier age than most because of my family history, I just never thought I would have breast cancer at 26 years old. It is still weird to say that I have breast cancer. But what I can say, is that every doctor, nurse, receptionist, etc has gone above and beyond to make sure to explain everything, make sure I'm comfortable, and facilitate the process for me. My boyfriend, close friends and family have been there every step of the way to support me. 

It is still early in the process and I am still figuring things out. But, what I do know is that I have been diagnosed with Grade 3, triple negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. The MRI showed no signs of nodal involvement and the tumor is small (T1) so I am hopeful that we caught this early. I will be starting approximately 4 months of chemotherapy within the next month followed by breast surgery.

This is going to be a long road and it's only just beginning, but I know it's going to work out. Not only am I going to need all of the emotional and spiritual prayers and support I can get, but this is also going to be a financial struggle for me unfortunately. My situation is different than most, both of my parents have passed away and not here to help me. I'm 26 and have an amazing boyfriend, but chemo will more than likely take my fertility from me. In hopes of having my own child one day I need to go through the process of freezing my eggs, a very confusing and expensive process that is not covered by insurance. I am in the middle of dental hygiene school right now and have been waitressing on the weekends, but my life is about to change for a little while. I've always been a very independent and prideful person so this is a little hard for me to do, but I know that I am going to need support through this time. Literally any support whether it be financial, emotional, prayers, or helpful information is welcomed and appreciated. I hope to update you all with good news soon.