Hi everyone totally new on here but would like to share my story : )
After finding out my nan, mum and aunts carried the BR1 gene, I decided to get tested myself to see if I carried it. I was 27, had a 5 year old and smoked cigarettes so got referred to genetics from my gp, had the blood test and was told a month or 2 later I carried the BR1 gene. I was kind of shell shocked, I half expected it but didnt want to be pessimistic!
Anyway I was referred to the breast and gynae department. The Breast dept wanted me to have a double mastectomy surgery almost immediately, gave me lots of info etc but also without sounding rude put the fear of god in me too!
Gynae werent as full on but recommended regular screens on my ovaries etc along with a 6 monthly blood test called a CA125.
So I started having the screens through gynae but after careful consideration decided to put the double mastectomy on hold, till in my head i was at least 34 years old. Id given birth to my second child a year after finding out i carried the BR1 gene too and possibly wanted more children, wanted to breast feed etc
Anyway 3 years after my diagnosis that I was BR1 positive i became eligible for MRI screening. I got my first appointment date for a month after my 30th Birthday. I attended and was quite traumatised at the experience of the MRI, then got a telephone call 2 days later saying they’d like me to come back to clinic for further screening as something had shown up on the MRI.
I went back 4 days later, had 2 mammograms, an ultrasound and a biopsy done with a clip also inserted in this little lump, they said they could see that it was deeply embedded inside my left breast. They also took some tissue from my left underarm lymph nodes too.
10 days later i returned for my biopsy results and was told on the 19th March 2019 that i have Grade Breast cancer, the lump was approximately 13 inches in size but so embedded i would never of detected it doing my usual breast feeling examination. Luckily it had not spread to my lymph nodes.
I was absolutely blown away by my diagnosis, its funny and sounds so cliche but I genuinely never believed it would happen to me?!
I was told i could have chemotherapy and would need the double mastectomy but my breasts could be reconstructed or replaced with implants.
I chose to have chemo first and surgery at a later date, And I would need 6-8 rounds every 3 weeks. Ive just had my 2nd lot of chemo yesterday and I have to say it is knocking me for 6! Nausea is so intense im on quite alot of anti sickness tablets. Migraines, and my body is just generally weak. Feels as though im walking through mud? Everything in my body feels so heavy. After my first chemo i was literally bed ridden for approximately 9-10 days straight after it. The type of chemo im on they say, that total hair loss is guaranteed and it is falling out now thick and fast! So have decided to brave the shave and cut it all off within the next few days.
But with all that being said, this illness has truly given me a totally different outlook on life. It has made me thankful for the things i took for granted and im counting my blessings. I am sad that they found the cancer but I choose life and Although i do have my down days when i just want to cry and close off from the world, i also know that i want to see my 2 daughters grow into the women they’re meant to be : )
And On the plus side i also havent had a cigarette since the moment i found out (and have noticed the benefits of my health and purse if i do say so myself!)
I just wanted to share my story, i do feel so lonely sometimes as i am a single parent, my relationship with my daughters father didn’t end well over a year ago. I have been trying to get my life back on track and wanted to be on my own. This diagnosis has shown me people i never imagined would be there for me, and people who haven’t dealt with it as well and have distanced from me.
But im taking one day at a time and trying my best to stay positive and visioning my end goal. Which is to fight this illness with every bit of strength that Ive got! My babies need me and i will not give up : )
Thank you for reading and i really do apologies if I’ve waffled on a little. It feels good to actually type this out : )
