Destiny Bleau

Survivor

At the age of 18 years old, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in the United States.

Hello, my name is Destiny. I found a lump in my breast and was told there was less than a 1% chance of it being breast cancer. After my biopsy, I found out it is Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I have no family history with breast cancer mind you.

This diagnosis put a pause on starting my life, going to college, having to quit work and traveling to constant appointments and many procedures. I am a woman of god so I believe that this happened to me for a reason, maybe to be able to have more appreciation for life. I truly want to believe that. This changed my life for the better and for worse.

I never even thought I was strong but to be that strong, strong enough to go through losing my breasts and then my hair. My family and fiancé (& his family) were my biggest supporters through it all and they gave me strength along with the idea of someday having a family of my own and I gained faith and hope through prayer.

The idea of being lucky enough to have found it early enough to have a chance to fight and get a head-start is what makes me feel most grateful because women aren’t RECOMMENDED/REQUIRED to get a mammogram ’till they are 41. I would have DIED before my first mammogram if my fiancé hadn’t found the lump. Not even me. I didn’t even know my body well enough to feel something abnormal.

But overall I am here and I am still breathing and living despite it all. I thank god for that. I just want to raise awareness for young women and every woman. The end of this month (Breast cancer awareness month) will be my first survivor year. So it’s super important to me that I help other women who didn’t think that it could happen to them, and to check and be AWARE.

Thank you for reading my story and hopefully allowing me to share it publicly with the world in some way or another. Sincerely, Destiny Bleau.