My Journey Begins: Before Diagnosis
March 25, 2024: Everything Started with a Routine Mammogram
I had a routine mammogram after turning 40. I felt no lump and had no symptom of cancer. I learned my breasts were dense [which 50% of women have dense breasts, especially young women], which can make it much harder to find cancer through a mammogram. Dense breast tissue may even increase the risk of breast cancer.
If you have dense breasts, push your doctor to get an ultrasound or MRI, which will better show any beginning stages of breast cancer than a mammogram. Precancerous calcifications and small tumors can go undetected in a mammogram and because of this, mammograms only pick up about 30% of actual breast cancer cases. Don’t deny yourself an early detection of cancer!
Following my mammogram, a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound were recommended. At this point, I had no thought or concern that I might have breast cancer.
April 4, 2024: Doctor 98% Confident I had Cancer
During the diagnostic tests, a scattered mass in my left breast and a swollen lymph node in my armpit were identified. The doctor stated, even before any biopsy, that they had a level 5 certainty—above a 98% confidence level—of malignancy. I pleaded with the doctor for an immediate biopsy the following morning. This was very difficult news to process. I went from having no thoughts of cancer to a doctor being almost 100% certain of malignancy. Yet, I had to wait [impatiently] for the biopsy and test results to confirm the diagnosis.
That evening, I was in shock. I was in denial. I had guilt, confusion, worry, and fear—I was scared on every level. My mind was jumping to very dark places. I feared for my sons growing up without a mom and my husband being widowed. I felt betrayed by my body, like it had failed me in the one life I get to live. All my blessings and dreams flashed before my eyes—raising my kids, building memories, growing old with my husband, and traveling the world.
Life is not fair sometimes—why was this happening to me? — But why wouldn’t it happen to me?
I’ve always eaten healthy, but maybe not healthy enough? How long had this cancer been growing inside me? Had it spread to my lymph nodes or other areas of my body? I was angry, confused, and overwhelmed. Could we even afford this? Cancer is expensive. I’d rather spend money on a family vacation!
Finding Gratitude and Leaning on Love and Support
Despite everything, I was thankful. I was thankful to have learned about my body and to know that doctors could create a plan to fix me. I was grateful for my life, for the reminder that every day is a gift, and even for health insurance and life insurance—just in case. This next year would be a journey. But, Danielle, you’ve got this. Be the heart and positive spirit that you and your family need right now.
That night, I shared all my thoughts and feelings with my husband after the kids were in bed. I was thankful for his immediate comfort, love, and support. I felt the reassurance that I already wasn’t alone in this.
