Catherine Shaw

Survivor

Breast Cancer Can Affect Anyone

Before I had breast cancer, I always thought it could never happen to me. I was under 40, had no known genetic predisposition, breastfed both children, and had my first child under 30. I just didn’t check any of the boxes for a women to be diagnosed with breast cancer. When I went to my annual gynecological check-up in December of 2021, the doctor felt a lump in my left breast, and I was told it was probably nothing, but to go get a mammogram and ultrasound to confirm it was benign. I thought maybe it was inflammation from my last COVID booster. Three weeks later, that nothing resulted in me sitting on the table at the radiologist’s office being thanked repeatedly for coming in and instructing me that I would need a biopsy for further testing. I was 39 years old. I drove home shaking and once I got there, I headed right into bed. My husband came upstairs and I told him that it didn’t look good. Neither of us could believe it. I had to wait 3 weeks for my biopsy. Even when I went there, I kept telling myself it was a mistake. How could I have breast cancer? I believed it would be benign, but 2 days later, I received my report on the portal. It was invasive ductal carcinoma of my left breast with a 5cm lump and atleast 2 affected lymph nodes. I texted my husband and my mom. I was scared and worried about how I would take care of my children, continue to work, and have a normal life. Would I lose my hair? My breasts? My life? That afternoon, I made an appointment with a well known cancer center in Jersey, the Ritz Carlton of cancer centers, as I called it. When I went to see their breast surgeon she explained to me that I would need chemo and surgery. And yes, I would lose my hair. That is where it all started. Eight months of my life were filled with endless diagnostic tests, appointments, bloodtests, treatments and fearing the unknown. In the end, I had 8 rounds of chemo, 1 surgery and 25 sessions of radiation. This year I had another surgery and have continued to take hormones to place my 41 year old body into medical menopause. What I learned from this process is that I was able to conquer my worst fears and not just live through them, but live past them. I worked through out treatment, took care of my children and home, and relied on others when I wasn’t feeling my best. I don’t want what I went through to have happened in vain. I want women under 40 to hear my story and continue to check themselves to makesure this doesn’t happen to them. Cancer can affect all women, at any age. And if you are one of the lucky women to be under 40 and thriving through cancer treatment, please know that I am thinking of you and you will get to the other side of this stronger, healthier and wiser.