Things started when I noticed my left nipple inverted. I had a diagnostic ultrasound and mammogram at my local regional hospital. After my results I went for a biopsy.

I received the biopsy results via a phone call from a doctor’s office that I did not recognize. The call was to arrange an appointment for the next day. At that moment, I KNEW the biopsy was positive for cancer.

It was an unintended error…the surgeon’s office that called me did not know that my primary doctor had not contacted me. Upon realizing what had happened, the surgeon called me and apologized. I had an in-person meeting in his office the next day.

After hearing the news, I did my own research to find my 5 year survival rate, and found it was around 92%.

I tried to eat healthier most days, and started exercising twice as much.

My doctors recommended for me to do a

• mastectomy
• chemotherapy
• radiation therapy
• hormone therapy

I followed their advice, but also relied on my own research, and made the decision based on how I could finance the treatment.

I felt hopeful, happy and a little relieved upon deciding on my treatment plan.

In terms of side effects, the ones that affected me the most were: fatigue, hair loss and peripheral neuropathy.

I managed my side effects through exercising more, eating better, and medication from my doctor.

I tried my best to continue eating healthier when I could, and exercising twice as much as I used to.

I found myself with less time to contact my parents, around once a week now.

I’ve boosted the fun in my life and attempted to not sweat the small stuff. For myself, I plan to allow for travel and to complete construction of a homemade camper. My greatest aspirations are to have fun and find delightful work.

It’s that I would not recover. I have to credit my WONDERFUL surgeon who first told me ‘this is not a death sentence’; who was very encouraging; and who continues to monitor me. I couldn’t accurately convey how my treatment was handled because it was managed through the cancer agency, which has a team approach. My doctor was the person who gave me the diagnosis and was involved throughout. Beyond that, I also took a post-cancer diagnosis workshop through Inspire Health which gave me tools to deal with the fear.

Now, I feel more optimistic, hopeful and thankful.

To others, I would say: “This is not a death sentence. Treatment has progressed by an incredible amount and continues to advance. Chemo is much more bearable than it once was and much less dangerous, thanks to drugs that boost white blood cell production.

Many of the side effects of treatment are well-managed for most individuals. Thirty years ago, my stage/type of breast cancer would have been a death sentence.

I am now in remission more than two years post-diagnosis with a positive prognosis … although no guarantees … from the medical oncologist who designed my treatment. I am also grateful for all the research that guided my treatment and for universal health care.”