My Breast Cancer Story

I was diagnosed with stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, HER2 weakly positive (breast cancer) at the age of 26 in November of 2014. I have no family history of breast cancer and tested negative to being a BRCA gene carrier. I self discovered my lump after bumping into my car (named Faith) door in the precise position of her tumor. Despite the lump, excruciating pain and vigilance in seeking medical help I faced multiple challenges in receiving the proper medical attention, guidance and testing hearing from a physician that

"Breast Cancer is not painful and that I am young and healthy with little to worry about. "

By the grace of God, I was diligent and continued to self advocate and listen to my body. With the assistance from a loving nurse I was finally able become connected with the right doctors that took my health seriously. 

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Within two days of receiving a biopsy, I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer.  There is a false stigma that breast cancer is not painful nor does it attack younger aged women without a family history; yet this my story and reality along with so many others my age and younger. These statistically unfortunately increase by the day as more and more young women are being impacted by the journey of breast cancer. After undergoing a full year of treatment including 4 surgeries, 6 months of chemotherapy, 22 rounds of radiation therapy and an infusion every 21 days, I received news of clear margins in 2015.

This year I celebrates my 5-year survivorship milestone and continue to serve as an advocate for Breast Cancer Awareness, Education and Advocacy for others, particularly in underrepresented areas where access to information, resources and proper medical attention are often a challenge. Breast Cancer is not a death sentence and I am proof that with faith, support and a great team of doctors I can survive anything.