Natalie Gutierrez, the mother of twin 13-year-old boys, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2023. Genetic testing revealed she was positive for the BRCA1 inherited gene mutation. This is her story in her own words.
South Florida is where I’ve built my life, raising my two boys and sharing my home with my boyfriend. My parents live just five minutes away, and they have been my rock through everything. Mom, especially — she’s been there for almost every appointment, holding my hand when I felt too weak to stand on my own.
I have twin 13-year-old boys and they are my world. They’re the reason I wake up every morning and the reason I fight so hard. They were born at 27 weeks, and I learned then what it means to face a hard battle. I watched them fight for their lives in the NICU, and through that experience, I discovered the strength I never knew I had. Being a mom is my greatest joy, and nothing else compares. My boys keep me busy, and they are my motivation to push through the hardest days.
A Lump In My Chest
In September 2023, I felt a lump in my chest. It was something I couldn’t ignore, and a biopsy soon confirmed my worst fears: I had triple negative breast cancer. The diagnosis was like a punch to the gut. Genetic testing showed I have the BRCA1 inherited gene mutation.
My doctors, including my breast surgeon, my plastic surgeon, my oncologist, my oncologic gynecologist and my radiation oncologist became the team that would guide me through the darkest time of my life. I felt blessed to have them by my side, each one bringing expertise and compassion to my care.
The treatment they recommended for triple negative breast cancer was intense, a regimen known as the Keynote 522 treatment. It was brutal, but I knew it was my best shot at beating this.
Chemotherapy on My Birthday
I began chemotherapy on my 42nd birthday. Instead of celebrating with cake and candles, I was hooked up to an IV, feeling the poison drip into my veins. It was the hardest birthday I’ve ever had, and it felt like my world was crumbling around me. The chemo took everything from me — my energy, my hair, my sense of self — but I kept going. I had no other choice.
After finishing chemotherapy, I underwent a double mastectomy, a surgery that felt like I was losing a part of myself. My plastic surgeon placed tissue expanders in my chest that day, a temporary step on a long road that would eventually lead to reconstruction. But there was more to endure. I had a complete hysterectomy, another necessary step to protect my future, but it felt like another piece of me was being stripped away.
Radiation & Immunotherapy
Radiation came next in my treatment for triple negative breast cancer. I had 33 sessions and every day, I laid on that cold table, feeling the radiation burn into my skin. By the time it was over, my skin was ravaged, especially under my armpit. It was raw, torn apart and every movement was a reminder of the battle scars I would carry for the rest of my life.
Despite the tradition of ringing the bell after completing treatment, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Not yet. For me, ringing the bell wasn’t just about marking the end of treatment — it was about symbolizing victory, and I didn’t feel victorious yet. I wanted to wait until everything was truly done, until I could look back and say, “I made it through.”
My last active immunotherapy treatment is scheduled for October 4, 2024, and I plan to ring the bell on October 5, 2024. This day isn’t just arbitrary — it marks exactly one year since I began this harrowing journey with triple negative breast cancer, and it’s in October, a month that holds deep significance for me. October is my birthday month and it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
A Slow and Painful Recovery
Recovery is a slow, painful process. Every day is a struggle, but it’s also a victory. I’m reclaiming pieces of my life, bit by bit. They say it takes a village to get through the toughest times, but I’ve been blessed with an army. My parents have been my rock, my lifeline, my everything, giving me strength and support at every turn. My boyfriend has stood by me through it all — caring for me when the chemo side effects hit hard, emptying my drains after surgery, sleeping on uncomfortable hospital beds and never leaving my side.
And I’ve found incredible strength in my boys. They are my motivation, my reason for fighting. Their presence reminds me that I have something worth fighting for, something bigger than myself. My family, loved ones, friends and so many other people have surrounded me with endless love, surprise care packages, encouraging messages and even financial help. Everyone’s unwavering support has lifted me in ways I never thought possible. I couldn’t have fought this battle without them.
The Journey Has Changed Me
This journey with triple negative breast cancer has changed me in ways I never imagined. It has taken pieces of me, but it has also revealed a strength I didn’t know I had. I am Natalie Gutierrez — a mother, a survivor, a fighter, a mentor and someone who has learned to live fully, embracing both the visible and invisible scars that cancer has left behind.
Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
