Dawn’s Story

I am the mother of two young girls. I received a diagnosis at the age of 33 in July 2023 with triple-negative grade 3 stage 3c/4 (opted against risking biopsy spots in the lungs). I had to advocate for a biopsy of my lump, as medical professionals insisted I was too young, dismissing the possibility of malignancy, despite my high-risk status confirmed by genetic testing in 2016, revealing a BRCA1 gene mutation. Two years prior, my cousin had succumbed to triple-negative breast cancer at the age of 28, and my aunt was diagnosed at the same age with her initial breast cancer.

I initially discovered my lump in October 2022, and it took until June 2023, after two mammograms and two ultrasounds, for me to finally secure a biopsy. My oncologist questioned why my primary care physician (PCP) did not take my lump discovery seriously, and all I could offer was that he considered me too young for breast cancer, despite my family history and genetic mutation.

I underwent 12 rounds of AC, followed by 4 rounds of Keytruda. However, my first round of AC with Keytruda resulted in a weeklong near-death hospital stay. Subsequently, I completed my second round of AC the week after being discharged when my oncologist determined my chemo intolerance. A bilateral mastectomy was scheduled for December 27, 2023. I recently had my drains removed and am currently in recovery, though the past few weeks have been challenging with pain.

On Monday, January 9, I will consult with a radiation oncologist to discuss the impending radiation therapy journey. The following day, January 10, I have an appointment with an oncologist to explore long-term maintenance chemotherapy due to the BRCA1 gene mutation. Numerous surgeries are on the horizon for further prevention of other cancers associated with BRCA1.

-Dawn