On April 6, 2022, I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS), High Grade, Triple Negative Breast Cancer. (TNBC) I’d already gone through my annual mammogram, a follow-up targeted mammogram and ultrasound, followed by a biopsy.
I’ve had calcium deposits before, as did my sisters, so I thought it was all just routine.
Things happened fast after that. I had a unilateral Mastectomy on the 26th and started Chemo on May 16th.
I’m pretty sure I hadn’t taken a breath during those first few weeks.
Luckily it was only Stage 1 so I don’t need Radiation. However, it's a more aggressive cancer so I have 6 months of serious Chemo lined up. Also, DCIS that is highgrade, is more likely to come back (recur) after it is removed with surgery.
I've been a bit overwhelmed but am doing well. This is me getting ready for my expected hair loss. I got it cut really short this time!
I didn't have a discernible lump so my annual mammogram was the only way it was caught in time. This is an uncommon type of cancer that usually targets Black or Latinx women under 4O with a BRCA gene mutation. As you can see, I don't fall into any of those categories!
Please get your annual mammograms and/or encourage your family members and friends to get theirs.
It saved my life!
“We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. We've got to go through it!" Michael Rosen
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