Finding a Lump Overnight - Chance | Triple Negative Breast Cancer | Patient Story
TLDRChantal, a 27-year-old social worker, shares her journey with triple negative breast cancer, a diagnosis she received at 24 due to a BRCA1 genetic mutation. Despite a family history of cancer and her vigilant health checks, the disease manifested unexpectedly during a beach vacation. Chantal narrates her extensive treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery, and a total hysterectomy as a preventative measure against ovarian cancer. She emphasizes the importance of making personal treatment choices and having a strong support system, while navigating the complexities and challenges of living with this aggressive form of cancer.
Takeaways
- 🌟 Chantal, a 27-year-old social worker, shares her journey with BRCA1 genetic mutation and triple negative breast cancer.
- 🏥 Chantal was hyper-vigilant about her health due to a strong family history of cancer and underwent regular preventative scans and tests.
- 😷 Chantal first noticed her tumor during a vacation in Florida when she felt a sharp pain in her chest and discovered a lump on her chest.
- 🚨 Her initial reaction was informed and prompt; she immediately contacted her healthcare provider without panicking and scheduled an appointment.
- 🏥 Chantal's healthcare team took her concerns seriously and initiated a series of tests including ultrasound, mammogram, and MRI without delay.
- 🦠 The diagnosis was stage two triple negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form of the disease with limited treatment options.
- 🩺 Chantal underwent an intensive chemotherapy regimen, experiencing severe side effects, but managed to complete her treatment with the support of her medical team.
- 💉 A complication with her chemotherapy port led to a change in her treatment plan, but she was able to continue with an alternative chemotherapy drug.
- 🔧 Post-chemotherapy, Chantal had a double mastectomy and planned for reconstruction, but an allergic reaction to a dye used during surgery led to complications and the removal of her expanders.
- 💔 Chantal also had a total hysterectomy at 25 as a preventative measure due to her mother's history of ovarian cancer.
- 📈 Chantal continues to monitor her health with regular check-ins and a new test called Signatera, which screens for circulating tumor DNA in the blood.
Q & A
What is Chantal's profession and how long has she been working in it?
-Chantal is a full-time social worker in foster care and has been working in this field since she graduated from college.
What is significant about Chantal's family medical history?
-Chantal has a very extensive family history of cancers, which led her to be hyper-vigilant and get scans and tests done preventatively every six months.
How did Chantal first discover her tumor?
-Chantal discovered the tumor while laying on the beach in Florida. She felt a sharp pain in her chest and later noticed a lump sticking out from her chest.
What genetic mutation did Chantal test positive for prior to her cancer diagnosis?
-Chantal tested positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation, which is associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
What type of breast cancer was Chantal diagnosed with and at what age?
-Chantal was diagnosed with stage two triple negative breast cancer at the age of 24.
What does 'triple negative' mean in the context of breast cancer?
-Triple negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer that tests negative for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2, meaning it has the least amount of treatment options.
What was Chantal's initial reaction to her cancer diagnosis?
-Chantal did not panic or go into denial upon receiving her diagnosis. Instead, she immediately knew she needed to take action and contacted her medical team for further assessment.
What was Chantal's experience with chemotherapy?
-Chantal's experience with chemotherapy was extremely challenging. She suffered from severe side effects, including extreme nausea, constipation, bone pain, fatigue, low blood pressure, dizziness, and vomiting.
What complications arose during Chantal's surgery and recovery process?
-Chantal experienced complications such as an allergic reaction to methylene blue dye used for surgical purposes, which led to her skin dying and requiring the removal of her expanders. Additionally, she faced delays in her radiation treatments.
What other major surgery did Chantal undergo as a preventative measure?
-As a preventative measure due to her mother's history of ovarian cancer, Chantal underwent a total hysterectomy at the age of 25.
How does Chantal monitor her health post-cancer treatment?
-Chantal sees her medical oncologist every 3 to 4 months and undergoes a Signatera test, which compares her initial tumor DNA to her current blood DNA to detect any circulating tumor DNA. She also gets a bone density test every two years.
What advice does Chantal have for cancer patients regarding treatment choices?
-Chantal encourages cancer patients to understand that there's no wrong choice in their treatment. She emphasizes the importance of making the best choice for the present moment and knowing that they have the autonomy to make another choice if needed.
Outlines
👩⚕️ Introduction and Early Detection
Chantal, a 27-year-old social worker in foster care, shares her journey with cancer. She had a family history of cancers and tested positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation. Despite being vigilant with regular scans and tests, she discovered a tumor on a vacation in Florida. The sudden appearance of the tumor was unexpected, as her previous MRI showed no signs of cancer.
🦋 Diagnosis and Initial Treatment
After finding the lump, Chantal underwent a series of tests, including an ultrasound, mammogram, and MRI. She was quickly diagnosed with stage two triple negative breast cancer at the age of 24. Chantal was unfamiliar with this aggressive form of cancer and turned to social media and her medical team for information. Her treatment began with chemotherapy, which she started just 60 days after her diagnosis.
🩺 Challenges with Chemotherapy
Chantal faced significant challenges during her chemotherapy. She experienced severe side effects, including nausea, constipation, bone pain, fatigue, low blood pressure, dizziness, and vomiting. These symptoms were so intense that she had to crawl to the bathroom and felt like she was enduring the worst hangover of her life. Despite the hardships, she found some relief through different forms of nausea medication and baths, which helped her complete the chemotherapy process.
🏥 Surgeries and Setbacks
After chemotherapy, Chantal underwent a double mastectomy and lymph node dissection. However, she had an adverse reaction to a dye used during the surgery, which led to her skin dying. This required additional surgery to remove the expanders. She also had a total hysterectomy as a preventative measure due to her mother's history of ovarian cancer. Despite the delays and complications, Chantal found peace with her body as it was and focused on the importance of being alive.
💬 Reflections and Advice
Chantal reflects on her journey and offers advice to others going through similar experiences. She emphasizes that there is no right or wrong choice in treatment and encourages individuals to make decisions that benefit them in the present moment. She also highlights the importance of having a support system and acknowledges her privilege in having access to a strong network of family, friends, and medical professionals.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Social Worker
💡BRCA1 Genetic Mutation
💡Triple Negative Breast Cancer
💡Chemotherapy
💡Surgery
💡Radiation
💡Hysterectomy
💡Support System
💡Signatera Test
💡Breast Cancer Community
Highlights
Chantal, a 27-year-old social worker in foster care, shares her journey with cancer.
She had a strong family history of cancers and tested positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation.
Chantal was hyper-vigilant with regular scans and tests every six months as a preventative measure.
She discovered a tumor on her chest during a beach vacation in Florida at the age of 24.
The tumor had a distinct appearance, unlike a cyst or bruise, with defined edges.
Chantal's initial reaction was not panic but a determination to address the issue.
Her nurse practitioner took her concerns seriously and arranged for further assessments.
Chantal underwent a series of tests including an ultrasound, mammogram, and MRI without delay.
She was diagnosed with stage two triple negative breast cancer at 24, the youngest case her doctors had seen.
Triple negative breast cancer is the most aggressive form with the least treatment options.
Chantal turned to social media and the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation for information and support.
Her treatment plan included chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
Chantal experienced severe side effects from the first four rounds of chemotherapy.
An allergic reaction to methylene blue dye used during surgery led to complications and the removal of her expanders.
Despite the challenges, Chantal feels comfortable in her body and prioritizes being alive over physical appearance.
At 25, she had a total hysterectomy as a preventative measure due to her mother's history of ovarian cancer.
Chantal continues regular check-ups and a Signatera test, a new development for monitoring cancer recurrence.
She emphasizes that there's no wrong choice in treatment and encourages making decisions that benefit one's current situation.
Chantal is grateful for the support of her family, friends, and partner throughout her journey.
Transcripts
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