04/08/2026
2 years ago I went into an 8 hour surgery not knowing what the outcome would be. I had Comedonecrosis in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ - which is a high-grade, aggressive part of DCIS where dead cancer cells accumulate in the center of the breast. It has a high rate of reoccurrence and a higher rate of becoming invasive. It presents with micro calcifications in mammograms and I had just had one in October prior to my diagnosis in February. In October, I was told that there were calcifications and that they were likely benign. In January, I noticed my fibroids did not reduce their inflammation after my cycle and intuitively, I knew something was wrong. Fortunately, I had an incredible primary doctor who was always on the side of her patients. I quickly had a biopsy (this is where we remember SimonMed lost my tissue samples for 3 weeks-yes, I screamed at many people on the phone). Received my results on a typical Wednesday. I surprisingly took it well - that gut feeling already told me so I was mentally prepared and I had already screamed and cried enough that week looking for my biopsy samples.
I have had many women in my family who were diagnosed with breast cancer, but the one aunt I needed to talk to died of the very same cancer I was diagnosed with about 20 years prior. Diagnosed at the same age I was, but only lived about a year after. She knew something was wrong, but was consistently dismissed. By the time someone listened and believed her, it was throughout her body and spread to her brain.
Every ounce of information we have as women, we must share ; for we have fought for every single thing we have - and we have lost women we shouldn’t have.
My story has been much brighter than others and that is not lost on me for a second.
I live unapologetically & with the most intention possible - this has been quite uncomfortable for some - and I share my story with whoever will listen. Gone are the days of gatekeeping. Part of loving your children and future generations of women is providing all of the necessary tools for them to be empowered with the information they need to make the best possible decisions for their bodies and lives.
