I first found a lump in December 2022. I was scheduled for my first mammogram. I received the call from my family doctor that said it was a benign cyst, measuring 1cm. I celebrated that day. As a precaution, I was scheduled for routine mammograms every 6 months which I celebrated every time. In December 2023, I noticed that the lump was growing and saw a dimple on my breast. I went to see my family doctor who scheduled a quick mammogram and ultrasound. The lump was definitely bigger at 5cm, but I was still told it was a benign cyst. Since I had a lot of pain, I was scheduled to see a surgeon for a procedure called an aspiration, where they drain the fluid from the cyst. A few attempts were made with different sized needles, but no luck. No fluid came out. I was then scheduled for a guided ultrasound to do the aspiration a few weeks later.

December 6th, 2024, I am laying on the table ready to start my ultrasound aspiration. The ultrasound tech started the ultrasound and stopped immediately. She stated that she did not see a cyst, but a mass, which was now 8.8cm. She quickly left the room to ask the doctor to come in. They looked and took ultrasound pictures. He then did a biopsy, taking tissue in 5 different areas. He sent me in and out of emergency mammograms and measured my lymph nodes. I asked for my husband to be brought in the room because my anxiety was through the roof.

The doctor explained to us that this was a tumor, most likely cancer. Category BIRADS 5 (which is 95% chance or greater of being cancer). He said that the lymph nodes were not inflamed so the good news was that it would probably be an early-stage cancer without spread. I left crying, feeling broken, defeated by the medical system that I trusted.

On December 17th, my family doctor gave me my diagnosis: breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma, estrogen +, pr+, HER2 negative. I had to wait five weeks for a mastectomy, which was on January 14th, 2025. The pathology report came back, stating they removed three cancerous lymph nodes but confirming all the cancer was removed in the breast. Since I knew this lump had been growing for two years, it was crucial that I had a scan to check if the cancer had spread, especially since three lymph nodes were positive. A PET Scan was scheduled.

In the meantime, I started chemotherapy, with my first infusion on February 12th 2025. I was very tired, had blisters in my mouth, aches and pains, and lost all my hair.  On February 26, I went for a full body PET Scan. The next day, my radiation oncologist explained the results of my scan- stage 4- cancer had spread to my bones. Three parts of my spine. I almost fainted and had to lay down as the doctor spoke to my husband, who was crying. Once again, I left the hospital feeling defeated.

A few months have gone by now… I have been navigating through different feelings. I am on a different treatment plan now: Hormone blocker pills, hormone blocker monthly injections, a CDK4 oral pill. I did nine rounds of radiation in April, and rang the bell at the end. Recent scans show that my body is responding very well to radiation treatment, and my bone lesions are healing.

My sad feelings don’t leave my mind. But I have learned to add feelings, good feelings. Hope, courage, strength… I am trying to amplify these feelings by doing something, anything to raise awareness and money to find a cure. I did my first fundraiser in April 2025, walked 50km in a month and raised $2500, donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. Then in June, I did a community fundraiser bake sale at my house, where we raised $5000. This amount was matched by a company dollar for dollar, which gave us a total of $10000. This was donated to Breast Cancer Canada. On October 5th, I participated in the CIBC Run for the Cure and raised $3000 with my team of 16 members.

Going for scans every three months, I always hold on to hope for great results. This journey has taught me the importance of being proactive and listening to our bodies. To all the women out there—please, do your self-exams and ask for a yearly mammogram. If you have dense breasts, request additional testing. Early detection can save your life. Your health truly depends on it.