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Cindy Diagnosed at age 46

Cindy

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Cindy Diagnosed at age 46

"Cancer didn't define me, it redefined me! And my life after cancer? It's beautiful."

Cindy

Life interrupted... that is an understatement. On New Year's Eve, 2016 I found a lump. It was rather large. Deep down, I knew. I have cancer. But how? I don't have a family history of breast cancer. It just can't be! But I knew. I could tell on the technician’s face when she ran the Doppler of the ultra sound over my lump. I could tell by the Dr's tone when she performed the biopsy. Non-the-less, when I got that phone call, sitting in front of our local health food store and I hear the words... “I'm very sorry but your mass is malignant”. I was shocked. At that very moment, life as I knew it stopped. I couldn't breathe. There I sat in my car, head in my hands, sobbing. Alone and afraid. Of course, the first thought that pops into your head is I don't want to die. The hardest part was telling my friends and family. I never felt alone after that day.

The day of my official diagnosis came even more bad news... with my three best friends and husband by my side, I was officially diagnosed with Stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. She went on to explain I will need chemotherapy, surgery, and possibly radiation. Apparently, I was considered young to have TNBC. After genetic testing, I learned that I carried the BRCA gene. Turns out, it does run in my family. Life with cancer... it's a funny thing when you're in it, it becomes your new norm. I had four rounds of A/C and 12 weekly Taxol’s. I lost my hair, my eyebrows, and eyelashes. I had blood tests every week. I had good days and bad days. I barely recognized myself in the mirror. Cancer robs you of so many things… your beauty, your health, your womanhood. But I knew I had to fight this monster that grew in me.

I had an amazing support group. I never felt more loved. My tribe was by my side from diagnosis to celebration. After 6 months of chemo came the surgery. Due to my BRCA 1 status, it was recommended I have a double mastectomy with DTI, and a hysterectomy to lower my reoccurrence rate. So, after an 8 ½ hour surgery… I was finally getting close to the end of my battle. I woke up feeling like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I remember my hubby looking over me with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face. “Your lymph nodes were clear! You are good!” And just like that. The monster was gone. And life suddenly continued. It has been almost 6 months. I am approaching my one year cancerversary… cancer didn’t define me, it redefined me! And my life after cancer? It’s beautiful.


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