Rebecca’s Breast Cancer Journey

I first discovered a lump in my left breast while on vacation with my family. I had shooting pains so sudden and sharp I had to grab my breast. I had just turned 33 a few months earlier and I had no family history of breast cancer, so I simply made a mental note of the lump and continued on in my life.

About a month later, my husband inquired about the lump and demanded that I get it checked immediately. I reassured him that it hurt and cancer doesn’t hurt but I also promised him I would make a doctor appointment soon.

At this time, my life was incredibly hectic. I had an insanely paced corporate career working 50+ hours a week and was the caretaker for my elderly parents. I had a husband and two young children, then ages 9 and 6, and was volunteering as a soccer coach among other activities. I, like many other working moms, put myself last.  When on earth did I have the time to make a doctor’s appointment?

Two months after I found the lump in my breast, I did make an appointment with the doctor, but not for the lump. I was pregnant! I was shocked and could not believe another child could be in our future as we had been trying for years and resolved that it was not in the plans for us. I called immediately for a doctor’s appointment to confirm the at-home pregnancy test.

It was at this appointment that I had the doctor look at the lump that I had put on the back burner for over three months. Although my doctor thought the lump was just a cyst because it did not meet the typical “hallmark cancer symptoms,” she decided to send me to UMass Memorial Breast Center to confirm.

I was so confident this appointment would turn out to be nothing, I sent my husband to work and I went alone to my appointment. My oncologist looked at my ultrasound and said it “doesn’t look like cancer” and made a joke that I’m too young for cancer; especially with no relevant family history. Still, he decided to do a fine needle biopsy and sent me home.

The very next day, I received a phone call from the doctor at work. He informed me that my initial biopsy came back suspicious. I was scheduled for a core needle biopsy two days later. Shaken, I called my husband and I told him what just happened. Now my nerves were really beginning to unravel, but I tried to remain cautiously optimistic.

At the completion of my core biopsy, I learned that the radiologist had put a rush on my results.  After my incessant pleading he informed me that “it did not look good.” How had my life gone from happiness and joy from an unexpected gift of a new baby to our worst fear of cancer?

The very next day, I received the phone call that changed my life forever. The doctor informed me that I had Stage II Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma in a 4 cm tumor in my left breast. I was now also 14 weeks pregnant.  How was I going to tell my older children their mother had cancer? Telling them was by far the absolute worst experience in my young life. Cancer had only meant death to me and I had so much to live for.

I wanted to wait until I gave birth to undergo any treatment but my oncologists advised me due to the aggressive nature of my cancer, I could not delay any treatment. My high risk obstetrician promised me chemotherapy would not hurt my baby and the 2^nd trimester was the only time a pregnant woman could receive treatment. So I decided to place my life and my unborn child’s life into the hands of these trained medical professionals and pray. I was absolutely terrified.

Within a week after my diagnosis, I underwent sentinel node surgery followed by my first round of chemotherapy.

At seven months pregnant, I underwent my lumpectomy. It was also at this time I reluctantly decided to go on a medical leave of absence from work. Work had been a remarkable coping mechanism in helping me keep my life semi-normal. Maintenance of my hectic schedule allowed me to remain positive that my life was not going to change that much and it allowed me to put on the “face” for my children and my husband. I took the remaining weeks to recoup my strength for my pending delivery, now scheduled for early February. My delivery was to be five weeks early so I could resume my cancer treatment as soon as possible.

On February 6, 2008, I was admitted to the hospital for the induction of my third child. I could not wait to meet the miracle girl who made mommy make that doctor appointment. I needed to see with my own eyes that she was okay. My water was broken shortly after 3 p.m. and at 5:59 p.m. my newborn daughter was in my arms – perfect.

Welcome Reece Everest Soulliere! Thank you for saving mommy’s life!

The middle name Everest seemed perfect for my little angel because:

• What is the most physically challenging uphill battle in the world? Mount Everest, of course.
• Do the mountaineers accomplish this feat in one effort or do they manage it in stages and with the tremendous support of experienced professionals surrounding them?
• What feeling of glory do the mountaineers have when they reach the summit and have nothing but the entire world to look at as a reward?
• What stories do they live to tell for the remainder of their lives?

My unborn child had an uphill battle in struggling through breast cancer with her mom, through multiple treatments, several surgeries and never ending testing procedures. Upon Reece’s birth, it was as if I was on the summit of Mouth Everest – after my long trek, I was handed the ultimate reward - a perfect child.

Cancer has provided me with the ability to make many positive changes in my life. Despite the sometimes agonizing days in my cancer experience, I always reminded myself and my family that it could be so much worse. Through this experience, I have the realization of how truly blessed I am. I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by family and friends who held me up during my dark days and carried me forward on my tumultuous battle. Collectively, we will beat cancer but until then, we have to make time to for our health, no matter how busy we are. My busy life would have ceased to exist if Reece Everest had not saved it. Be your own self advocate. Check yourself.

Are you doing regular breast self-exams? Know how? Learn here.