My story is probably not unique, but I am. My Invasive Ductal Cancer diagnosis came to me less than one year ago, on 5/22/08. I felt a lump in the shower and immediately the next day my friend who owns several radiology centers scheduled me for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. A week after that, I was scheduled for a needle biopsy and the following week I was notified that the results from the biopsy were not good. I had just had lunch with a friend and was driving back to work when I got the call with the frightful news. I broke into a sweat as I pulled into my office parking garage. All I could think was that life as I knew it would never be the same. My second thought was "How am I going to tell my parents?" My mom is a 20+ year breast cancer survivor. She knew firsthand what I would have to face. I'm only 35, exercise regularly, eat healthy…and while I have a family history, I'm not sure anyone can really be prepared for such news. My initial reaction was fear and while I would like to say that fear is gone, I'm not sure it will ever entirely leave me, though it has dissipated over the months.

I tried to focus on the "positive" aspects of my diagnosis, for lack of a better word. I am thankful that I discovered my tumor while still in the early stage and acted swiftly. It's very true what "they say"…Early Detection is Key! My tumor was fast growing and it seemed as though one day it just appeared out of nowhere. Subsequent to my diagnosis, I learned I was positive for the BRCA 1 gene mutation which puts me at greater risk for recurrence as well as Ovarian Cancer. I met with a fantastic team of doctors and soon realized that the best decision for me was to have a bilateral mastectomy followed by eight rounds of dose dense chemotherapy and reconstruction surgery. I feel extremely fortunate to have been referred to a wonderful surgical oncologist who led me to a fantastically skilled plastic surgeon. I still have a couple more steps before the reconstruction process is complete, but I can confidently tell you as I sit here today that the worst is behind me.

While being educated with respect to what my treatment options were, I learned more about the 'triple negative' aspect of my cancer. What makes it different from other types of breast cancer is that women with the disease lack three hormone receptors known to fuel most breast cancer tumors: estrogen, progesterone and HER2. So while there are many effective hormone therapy medications for treating breast cancer, these don't work for triple negative breast cancer patients. Until more research is conducted and medications developed, I am told that now that I'm done with chemotherapy, diet and exercise are my best defense. This much I can do.

Throughout my treatment, I've been very thankful to have so many great people in my life. My boyfriend and dad were with me for every round of chemotherapy. Friends dropped by too and others sent food and shared kind words. Best yet was a group of friends who rallied behind me and established a team in my honor for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Miami/Fort Lauderdale. I'm proud to share that my team was the number #1 ranked fundraiser in 2008. I fight this disease so that one day other women won't have to. A girl can dream, yes?

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