One day in April 2008, while taking a shower I found a lump in my left breast. I thought it was probably nothing because I was 29 years old, healthy and busy with my life but decided to get it checked out by my family doctor because I would soon be leaving home to prepare for a deployment with the Army National Guard and my grandmother had breast cancer. The doctor sent me for a mammogram (negative) and an ultra sound that revealed a mass. I was referred to a surgeon and had a biopsy a few days later. The surgeon told me the dreaded words "you have cancer." I was shocked! I would no longer be fighting for my country now I would be fighting for my life. I had a mastectomy and some lymph nodes removed (negative for any further cancer). Chemotherapy and radiation treatments followed. God blessed me with love support and prayers from family, friends, co workers and many others that helped me. I knew that god led me to breast cancer and he would lead me through it. I finished my treatments in December 2008.
I researched pregnancy after breast cancer but found little information. After all most women who get breast cancer are past that part of life. My husband and I put our trust in god and in June 2011 I found out I was pregnant. February 2012 we were blessed with a baby girl.
It has been over 6 years since I heard the words "you have cancer." My army days have long since past but I will always be a soldier and a survivor.
Marion, VA
