Younger Women Are Battling and Surviving Breast Cancer

LANSING, MI — Breast cancer can be a frightening diagnosis. At 36-years-old, Monica Blackwell was diagnosed with a very rare aggressive form of breast cancer called Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). According to the National Cancer Institute, IBC accounts for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancers diagnosed in the United States.

 

In 2002, not much was known about IBC. Blackwell said that she had a pain and her right breast that was ‘unusual’ to her. She made an appointment with her physician.

 

“I just was grateful to have a physician’s assistant that found the lump, she set me up for an ultrasound which showed a mass. I then went for a mammography and they still did not think it was cancer because it had smooth edges. I asked the breast surgeon what would he tell his mother or his wife and he said ‘get a biopsy’ and I did.”

 

The biopsy confirmed that Blackwell had cancer. They determined that she had IBC because her skin had ridges that appeared pitted, like the skin of an orange (called peau d’orange).

 

In a matter of weeks, Blackwell’s life changed dramatically. She had a port placed in her breast, rounds of strong chemotherapy and a mastectomy in January of 2003.

Blackwell said, “It was very difficult and after that I had to deal with 8 weeks of radiation. Whew! I am definitely a survivor.”

 

Too Young and No History

 

Michelle Brennan found out she had stage 2, grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma when she was 31-years-old. The date December 14, 2012, is now known as her ‘cancerversary’.

 

Brennan said, “It isn’t the best thing to celebrate but I know each December 14th I see, will be another milestone for overcoming this breast cancer, one more year of healing and living well through cancer.”

 

Brennan said she found out right before the holidays and found it very difficult to tell her friends and family so she kept the information to herself and only told a few close loved ones.

 

“It was truly an awful time. Not only did it take more time to get appointments but who wants to say ‘Merry Christmas, I’ve got cancer’. It’s one of those things that I had to sit with, let sink in and try to figure out how I was going to embark on this journey.”

 

Both Blackwell and Brennan stated they did not have a history of  breast cancer in their families.

 

Brennan recounted, “That’s why, when I felt something earlier that year, I didn’t worry too much because a) I’m too young, and b) no one, not even distant cousins, have ever had breast cancer, and c) I didn’t have time for anything this serious! I made the decision to go back to school last spring, after a long break from college. I’ve been working as a phlebotomist for the past 3 years, and was at a point of financial stability, and had a supportive and caring home life that enabled and encouraged my return to school and an insane schedule.”

 

It is a myth that you are likely to develop cancer if you have a history of breast cancer in your family. Women who have a history are definitely in a high risk group. Women who have breast cancer are more than likely to have no family history, which is why getting regularly scheduled mammograms and doing self checks are important. The statistics show that only 10% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer actually have a family history of the disease.

 

Brennan went to the doctor for a cold that she had and just happened to mention the lump while she was there. In the span of less than a year, she has underwent chemotherapy and a double mastectomy.

 

She added, “My original Stage 2 diagnosis was recently changed to a “Presumed Stage 4″ due to some tiny spots in my lungs that aren’t able to be biopsied based on their location. However, radiation will start soon and a scan will be taken in a few weeks so we will see where we are at and form a treatment plan from there.”

 

People who have cancer may find the physical, emotional, and social effects of the disease to be stressful. Both Blackwell and Brennan state that family and friends are really instrumental in the healing process.

 

Blackwell said, “My support came from my family, friends and coworkers. I just recently finished a drug called Arimidex, it helps to fight recurrences, prior to that I was on Tamoxifen, this does the same thing, I was on each one for 5 years (10 years total).”

 

When Blackwell was asked what she would tell other women about taking their overall health concerns seriously she said that you should not put off taking care of yourself.

 

When asked directly about breast cancer she added, “I think I deal with it by talking about my journey with anyone who asks, of course I have had a few scares along the way but thank God it was nothing. We are our own advocates and asking questions and staying informed will help you to understand what you are facing. It’s not easy, emotionally, physically or financially.”

 

Brennan knows about the toll it takes on the individual all too well. Her family and friends are helping by having a comedy show fundraiser on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 8:00 pm. The headliner is David Dyer and tickets are $15.00. For tickets, call 517.410.8351 or e-mail Kelly Tracy at Tracyka82@gmail.com. They are also available online at www.connxtionscomedyclub.com. The ticket code is C4C GOLD and the password is Michelle.

 

The small things are what makes Brennan happy these days. A craft to make with love or the expression of the gift of a coffee mug seems to always bring a smile to her face.

 

Brennan paused when asked about relying on others for support and then said, “I think one of the important things about going through this for me has been learning to accept help, and learning how to ask for support. I’m generally a very positive person and cancer hasn’t changed that. Of course I have rough days, and those are important emotions to honor and release, but I find a lot of people seem surprised at how well I’m getting through this. I really just think that its impossible to be faced with mortality in the mirror, and to really be humbled in that moment beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before. And in some ways, even though I’m fighting for my life, I’m also being offered this huge opportunity to reflect and heal and try to align myself body, mind and spirit.”

 

This was printed in the July 14, 2013 – July 27, 2013 Edition