Rebecca // Triple Positive Breast Cancer
Age: 31 years old
From: Winchester, KY
What treatments did you undergo during your journey? Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and immuno therapy.
What were your signs/symptoms leading up to your diagnosis? Pain in my right breast, hives, and angioedema.
How did cancer alter your lifestyle? After being diagnosed, I changed my diet tremendously. I also found that taking care of my mental health was very important. My therapist has walked with me for three years and I don’t know what I would have done without her. My church family was also a major form of support.
What kept/keeps you going? My faith. I firmly believe that God works all things for the good of those who love Him. I may not ever really know why I’ve been through what I have, but I know He is good.
What makes your story unique or helpful to others? After walking through four years of infertility, my husband and I decided to try an IUI treatment. Three months after the failed IUI, a pain started in my breast. Since I was only 29 at the time, it was assumed to be a fibroid and I was told not to worry. Later that same year, I became pregnant. I lost our baby girl however (due to the cancer). Shortly after, I broke out in hives and angioedema. I ended up in the ER twice but no one could find out why. It was out of shear desperation, frustration, and my cat (Maine coon named Lucy) who suddenly started laying on my breast every night, that lead me back to the doctor refusing to leave without answers to all my symptoms. I demanded an ultrasound of my breast and I’m glad I did. 2cm tumor, 8cm total tissue involved, 2 lymph nodes, triple positive IDC was the diagnosis.
Any advice for those coming behind you? Be your own advocate. Do not let any doctor gaslight you because you’re young. You know your body better than anyone else. And remember that there is always hope.
Do you have a funny cancer story? I had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders placed before radiation. Tissue expanders have metal pieces to them which will cause a metal detector to go off. Due to my job, I have to go to court which requires you to go through a metal detector. So I had to carry a note from my surgeon what became known as my “titty passport” to hand to the guards to explain why my chest is setting off the metal detector.
Favorite quote, scripture or song? “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.” 2 Kings 20:5
Product or service that changed your life? I used Cetaphil through my radiation treatment and it was amazing at protecting my skin.
How did you hear about Brighter? How has it made a difference? I found Brighter through instagram. Hearing other’s stories has been a source of
encouragement.