Fabianna
“Metastatic cancer doesn’t have to be seen as a death sentence. But we need funding, more awareness, and patients' voices to be heard!”
2020 Update
Tt the age of 27, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. My husband David and I had been married for four years, just bought a home and welcomed our daughter Mackenzie one year prior. During my pregnancy I had a many unexplained health concerns and after giving birth I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, called lupus. After many doctors appointments we decided on a breast reduction surgery to help take some pain off my shoulders and joints as I had very large breasts.
The day of my consultation turned into a day that changed my life forever. A routine screening for the surgery turned into a landslide of bad news. The lump was felt in the breast exam by the doctor, which turned into a mammogram, then an ultra sound, followed by a biopsy, followed by the diagnosis of triple negative, stage 2 Breast Cancer. Two weeks later was followed by a partial mastectomy and then a round of chemotherapy. I wish I could tell you, my breast cancer journey ended there. Fifteen years later I am continuing to fight triple negative, metastatic breast cancer.
The initial diagnosis along with the diagnosis that followed a year later of MBC, stops your world. Everything moves in slow motion, the world’s sounds are only echoes of background noise, and you feel suffocated in fear. I had a one year old daughter and my mind focused on all the things I would miss out on with her. Her first day of school, her first dance recital, her first EVERYTHING. I could imagine pictures like in flash time. Pictures of her wedding, her first child, playing like a silent movie in my thoughts. I wanted to be present for it all. I wanted to live and fight, but the word cancer hung in the air like a floating balloon waiting to burst my hopes and dreams I had for this lifetime.
It’s easy to get caught up in the diagnosis and fail to remember that cancer isn’t who we are, it’s what we have.
The best advice I ever received was at my initial consultation with my oncology team. My husband and I sat in a waiting room filled with women waiting for the same fate. My hands were sweaty and I couldn’t seem to calm my mind. The woman sitting next to me, quietly leaned over. Put her hand on my mine and said, “My darling 99% of this will be your mental fight.” She leaned back to reading her book and I sat with tears in my eyes. Knowing this fight was going to be tough, but I had to be tougher. That piece of advice I have taken with me every day since, and have shared it with many others. Whenever I feel like giving up, or into the downward spiral of emotions that can over take your life, I think of those words a guardian angel shared with me that day.
MBC can be seen as a death sentence or a life sentence. I choose to see it as a life sentenced to share how to live in moment to moment pure joy.
2018 Story
In 2005 I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at the age of 27. I underwent surgery, three rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. In 2007, I developed mets in my kidney, brain and left breast. I was told then to get my affairs in order and enjoy my life.
I became a naturopathic doctor, educated myself on how to best live a full life with metastatic breast cancer, and here I am ready to celebrate my 42nd birthday.
I’ve endured over 150 rounds of chemotherapy and still counting, advocate daily for the implementation of a naturopathic plan encompassed with allopathic medicine for cancer protocols, and truly believe in the power of positive thinking.
Metastatic cancer doesn’t have to be seen as a death sentence. But we need funding, more awareness, and patients' voices to be heard!
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