My cancer was discovered after a routine mammogram. My doctors found something suspicious, and asked me to go for a core needle biopsy. I made a direct request to my surgeon to inform me of my 5-year survival rate, which was 44%.

Upon my diagnosis, I was dumbfounded, but not 100% surprised. Generally, I have always had excellent health, but a couple of months before this diagnosis, I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism and CPPD (a form of arthritis).

I didn’t make many changes to my life after diagnosis.

The doctors recommended a comprehensive treatment plan, including

• breast-conserving surgery: lumpectomy
• lymphadenectomy
• mastectomy
• chemotherapy
• radiation therapy
• hormone therapy.

Eventually, in addition to those, I also did a surgery to remove axillary (armpit) lymph nodes after the sentinel lymph node biopsy.

It hasn’t been fully discussed at present, but my doctors proposed a new staging of 3C. For now, I’m still undergoing chemotherapy.

I felt hopeful and motivated once I had decided on my treatment plan. Thankfully I didn’t face intense side-effects because of it.

I haven't made any significant lifestyle changes during treatment.

I look forward to some planned trips, which have now been postponed to the following year. I hope to travel with my loved ones and just be able to watch them grow and get settled in life.

I felt quite negative. I had a lack of people I trusted in my life to share them with.

I feel sad and neutral mostly, now. The disease can leave you feeling isolated, powerless, and vulnerable. I just keep on going.

Listen to what you're being told, don't be afraid to ask questions, and take someone with you to your appointments. Give them permission to ask the hard questions that you can't ask.