Every appointment I go to, the medical employee walks out, says "Jessica?", and looks directly to my mom. My mom looks at me, I look at the medical employee, and I am the one to respond, say "Hi", follow them into the office, and let them know I am the patient. I am a 23 year old, just diagnosed with breast cancer in February. I never thought I'd be graduating from Boston College and then be unable to start my job because of cancer. I was supposed to finally be a nurse in pediatric oncology, taking care of kids with cancer, not becoming a patient!
I lost my dad to cancer 4 years ago, when I was 19, my brother was 17, and my dad was only 49 years old. We have a familial cancer gene mutation, Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, which greatly increases the risk of getting cancer, at young ages, and getting multiple cancers throughout a lifetime.
Now my mom, brother, friends, family & I are dealing with cancer once again- with me. I just had a bilateral mastectomy and am currently undergoing reconstruction. I will have more scans soon to make sure there is not cancer anywhere else.
After this experience, I am petrified of getting cancer again because of my gene mutation. I have seen cancer at its worst with my dad; I hoped I would never have to endure what he did. I wish no one had to be put through this awful disease and treatment.
Since we lost my dad, my goal has been to help cancer patients & their families in any way I can. I hope that now with my own personal experience in addition, it will only make me a stronger woman, nurse, and advocate to fight cancer & help its victims.
Northborough, MA