Ashley Fernandez, 36, celebrated five years of living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) on April 13, 2023, and took a trip to the Outer Banks with her family to mark the occasion. MBC is breast cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body and cannot be cured today.
“It’s a big deal because, unfortunately, not many of us who are living with MBC make it to this milestone,” Ashley said. “It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I’m really thankful to still be here.”
Despite feeling a lump in her breast and requesting an ultrasound when she was 31, Ashley’s doctor told her she was too young to have breast cancer. She persisted in getting an ultrasound and was diagnosed with MBC that had already spread to her bones.
“I think it’s really important to remember that for all of us living with MBC, there’s no good, bad, right or wrong way to live with this disease. It affects every single one of us differently.”
Five years later, Ashley is stable on her current treatment plan, which includes a monthly chemotherapy shot, and is able to effectively manage her side effects.
“I have days where I struggle, but, thankfully, they’re not as bad as they used to be. I finally have the side effects under control, and I know how to manage them,” Ashley said. “The most extreme side effect that I have is fatigue. I’m tired a lot of the time, so I’m on medication through palliative care to get some assistance.”
While she used to dread going to treatment, Ashley now makes a “treat yourself” day out of her appointments with her husband in which they enjoy brunch and shopping before she receives her chemo shot at the University of North Carolina Rex Hospital.
“Getting chemo used to be depressing, but as I’ve lived with this longer, it’s a blessing that I get to count up by the number of years I’ve lived with the disease,” Ashley said. “It’s a milestone. And I’m still here.”
In addition to her current line of treatment, Ashley works with a physical therapist weekly to keep her body feeling in good condition and also sees a therapist regularly to work on her mental health.
“I continue to meet with a therapist because I feel like mental health is completely a game changer with your mindset on this,” Ashley said. “I think it’s really important to remember that for all of us living with MBC, there’s no good, bad, right or wrong way to live with this disease. It affects every single one of us differently.”
“For myself, working on my mental health has been lifesaving because there are times when I feel fine and I have a very positive outlook in my life,” Ashley continued. “However, I still have despair, and I still have moments of sadness. It’s OK to be happy and sad because they can coexist.”
Ashley’s family recently relocated to North Carolina from Ohio. Making new friends as an adult can be challenging, but making friends as someone living with MBC is even more difficult, she explained. She relies on her online MBC support groups to stay connected to the community and receive support from others who are living with the disease.
“Everybody in life wants to be known, seen and loved,” Ashley said. “The online community is so loving and supportive. If you’re living with MBC and want to be a part of our community, we will take you in, wrap our arms around you and love you through it all.”
Susan G. Komen would like to thank AstraZeneca for their generous support of the MBC Impact Series.
