In June of 2011, I discovered a very large lump in my left breast through self-examination that was not there in my last mammogram from October 2010. After a number of tests, my doctor informed me on August 30, that I had Stage II IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma) Breast Cancer. The tumor was estimated to be almost 3 centimeters. I tested as a Triple Negative Breast Cancer patient as well. I was also tested for the BRCA gene, which found no mutation -- fantastic news, especially since I have a daughter!

So with this information, my husband and I plowed through the Internet to learn as much as we possibly could in a very short amount of time. We opted for surgery first, feeling my body was at its healthiest prior to chemo so I underwent a double mastectomy on October 3, 2011.

However, prior to surgery I gathered all my best girlfriends and we hosted a ‘Girls Going Away’ lunch. It truly helped to have all of that support surrounding me prior to our first big step in the “Journey”.

After recovery from my double mastectomy, Dr. Frankie Holmes of Texas Oncology, my new best friend and life-saver, decided that TAC (Taxotere®/ Adriamycin®/ cyclophosphamide) was my best form of chemo treatment; six treatments – one every three weeks beginning on November 16. In case you have not heard, TAC is known throughout the chemo world as ‘The Red Devil’. It is red in color and very toxic – YEA! My treatment was noted as very aggressive for the type of cancer I have and I was told that the more aggressive your cancer is, the better it responds to treatment – so go get’em, TAC! I have to say though, despite hair loss, feeling tired at times, mouth sores and some nausea – I did not experience anything severe enough that I could not handle.

My hair loss began15 days after treatment started. Prior to my chemo, I had a Cupcakes & Champagne party. A dear friend cut my hair to a manageable length so I would not freak out once it started falling out by the handfuls. This helped a lot with the process. Going bald was the one the physical sign I had that truly stated I had cancer.

We had one setback during chemo in January when I experienced an infection in the left expander and had to be hospitalized on intravenous Vancomycin antibiotic.

On March 6, chemo ended. Keeping in light with my Journey, we hosted a ‘Chemo’s over and I’m So Over It’ party to gather all my supporting family and friends to celebrate yet another milestone.

Once chemo ended, we waited four weeks to begin radiation – 33 treatments, six and one half weeks of going to treatments five days a week was more challenging than I expected. I trudged through the radiation protocol, but my skin took the toll of being burned day-in and day-out. It was raw and bloody to the touch. Three weeks into treatment not sure if I would finish, but the end came and, amazingly, my skin recovered in about two weeks. By then, it was summertime, but was quickly apparent that my skin wanting nothing to do with being out in the sun. But, this passed as well and I’m able to tolerate small amounts of the warm, healing feeling the sun provides.

The interesting aspect of Triple Negative Breast Cancer is that it is a fairly new diagnosis in the world of breast cancer. There are many studies being conducted and treatments evolve every day. Even today, I have learned at my nine month check-up that there are now different types of the Triple Negative diagnosis. Research is truly amazing in discovering so many various types of Breast Cancer, giving way to some wonderful treatments that not only provide options, but the best possible cure.

The saying goes that it takes a village to raise a child; that saying is also true for someone who is diagnosed with cancer. Without my village ~ Team Elizabeth ~ my wonderful husband/caregiver, family members, friends, co-workers, doctors, nurses and many, many other breast cancer survivors and patients I have met along the way, I do not know how I would have gotten this far with a smile still on my face. The one aspect of the diagnosis I do recognize more than anything is that my cancer is serving a purpose for me to help others to get their annual mammograms, do self-exams and hold a hand or two if they are told they have cancer as well.