Silvia Gomez was living the typical life of a 25-year-old, working and enjoying time with family and friends, when she learned she had stage 2 breast cancer. This is her story in her own words.
When I had a little breast pain that would start and disappear – nothing alarming, just a pain — I didn’t stop my life. It wasn’t something I worried about.
As time went on the pain got worse. Then I felt a lump. I told my mom and she encouraged me to make a doctor’s appointment.
My appointment was scheduled for May 2019. At the appointment, my doctor ordered an ultrasound for that same day. I started wondering why it was so urgent.
I did the ultrasound and after waiting for a while, the nurse brought the doctor into the room and said they wanted to do a mammogram. At this point I am starting to think, “What is happening?”
I did the mammogram and was taken back to the room and asked to wait, but to not change back into my clothes. This is when I knew something was wrong.
After another ultrasound and after another physician was asked to review the findings, the doctor said that everything was indicating breast cancer. I was in shock, my mind could not understand or process this, I didn’t even know what to say or ask or how to tell my mom.
The doctor explained that he was 99% sure it was cancer and that the next step would be a biopsy, which I had the next day. A biopsy was performed on both breasts and six samples of each breast were taken.
The doctor called the next day and said my right breast was positive for invasive ductal carcinoma. It was devastating… I could only think the worst. Am I going to be ok? Am I going to survive? Am I going to die? At 25, I had stage 2 breast cancer.
That moment was dark.
My journey began with all tests, pokes, ports, surgeries, chemo and radiation. I had genetic testing and my doctor explained that after this result, he would be able to determine which treatments would be best for me. The genetic test was negative for an inherited gene mutation.
Chemotherapy took its toll on my body. My blood counts dropped, and I had an allergic reaction, which led to steroid shots daily. It was very scary.
After chemo treatments, I then had a lumpectomy. Within days of my lumpectomy, I was back for another surgery to have more tissue removed. After this surgery, we received a clear report.
After recovering from surgeries, I started radiation therapy and had a total of 30 treatments. Toward the end of radiation, I had no energy. My body was physically worn out.
Moving forward, the plan for me is mammograms every six months, a breast MRI once a year and hormone therapy for a total of five years.
Cancer is a terrible and devastating illness. I suffered fatigue and weakness, I lost most of my physical strength. I am a little bruised, slightly broken and permanently scarred. But my body resisted and I’m still fighting, and I’m still waking up every day. This life may be hard as hell, but it’s still a gift and I am going to live every moment of it with God by my side.
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 healthcare provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
Breast cancer screening and early detection play an important role in your health. Screening tests can help detect breast cancer at an early stage when the chances of survival are highest.
