Late in February 2025, when I realized that I had not yet made my appointment for the year, I considered “just skipping it this year” as I had no concerns with my breasts, and was prioritizing a different health issue I was experiencing. BUT… there was a strong conflict of opinion in my heart-of-hearts, so I called and made my appointment and they got me in on March 10th, just a few weeks out.
The day of my annual mammogram was like any other day, because at that moment, I had no idea it would be the last day of the life that I knew. The mammogram showed a possible architectural distortion, and from that point the process of discovery, by way of additional imaging and biopsies, began. Next, I went in for an ultrasound and the radiologist was familiar with lobular cancer and was able to identify the two tumors immediately. He gave me sincere condolences, and told me that this was found “as soon as it could have been.” He wasn’t wrong. Thirteen months earlier, it was not there. Well, at least we couldn’t see it…or feel it.
I was then scheduled for an MRI, which detected a third tumor, which was also cancer. My official diagnosis is Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, ER/PR+, HER2-, Stage 1A, Grade 2, at age 46. My treatment plan included a lumpectomy with sentinel node excision in May 2025. The known tumors were successfully removed. Lymph nodes were not involved. I had 16 rounds of radiation and a complete hysterectomy (for other health issues, but it ended up being part of how my treatment plan worked). By removing my ovaries, I had different options for medication therapy, which was better for me.
I had no obvious signs or symptoms. I had no idea that I was going to hear the words, “I am so sorry, but this is cancer.” In hindsight, I’ve identified that my left breast felt a little “tense” for several months prior, but nothing that seemed to warrant medical attention. Please. Get your annual mammograms, early detection is so very important.
Throughout the duration of my treatment (and continuing forward in my life), I have made connections with other survivors and thrivers at support groups in-person and online, finding resources that were pertinent to me, and essentially finding my place in the world of breast cancer advocacy, which is how I found LBCA. For me, being connected and involved has been part of my healing spiritually, emotionally, and physically and allows for some clarity in my purpose amidst this diagnosis, knowing that something terrible cannot prevent me from making an impact, that none of us are alone in this journey, and feeling empowered to share and exchange our lived experiences. In some ways, I suppose, it’s fair to say that my cancer does define me.Because I am a survivor. I am an advocate.I am still me.
Are you interested in telling others about your own lobular breast cancer story? Please email communications@lobularbreastcancer.org to request information about how to submit your story.