Â鶹ӳ»­

My dad¡¯s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was in her 60s. But that was considered pretty normal at the time, so she didn¡¯t have any genetic testing done. That¡¯s why it was such a shock to be diagnosed with breast cancer myself at age 28 in January 2017. As far as I knew, my grandmother and I were the only people in my family who¡¯d ever had cancer.

Because I was so young when I was diagnosed, I got genetic testing done almost immediately. That¡¯s how I learned that my breast cancer was related to two genetic mutations: BRCA2 and HER2. I also discovered that literally all of the women on my paternal grandmother¡¯s side of the family had had some type of BRCA2-related cancer, too ¡ª so I¡¯d inherited that genetic mutation from her.

My breast cancer diagnosis

I was still breastfeeding my youngest child in late 2016 when I felt a lump in my right breast. I figured it was just a clogged milk duct, so I ignored it. But it started getting bigger. My husband finally convinced me to get it checked out. So I went to my doctor. She sent me in for a mammogram. The day after that, I had a biopsy, and I was diagnosed with stage III invasive ductal carcinoma.

Now, I tell everyone that if you have a lump, get it checked today. Don¡¯t put it off. I ignored mine for months. If I hadn¡¯t, I might¡¯ve just been able to have a lumpectomy, instead of all the different kinds of treatment I received. I also urge people to seek genetic counseling, if I hear that two or more of their close relatives have had cancer. If I¡¯d known my own family¡¯s cancer history, I definitely would¡¯ve had my breast looked at sooner.

Why I chose MD Anderson for my breast cancer treatment

I came to MD Anderson for my treatment because I wanted the best care possible. And, in my mind, MD Anderson was the only option. Why would I go anywhere else, when I have the No. 1 cancer center only minutes away? MD Anderson League City is just 13 miles from my home.

At MD Anderson, I met with . She recommended six months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery and 30 rounds of radiation therapy. After that, she wanted me to take a targeted therapy drug called Herceptin. I would receive it by IV infusion every three weeks for a year after I finished radiation.

Finding serenity after breast cancer treatment

I got my last infusion on Sept. 9, 2018. And at first, I thought I would be all excited. Instead, I was kind of upset. MD Anderson had been my home for a year and a half. It felt like my security blanket was being taken away.

I talked about my feelings with Traci Newsome, a social work counselor at MD Anderson. She told me that my reaction was very normal, and a lot of cancer survivors experience it. She said to give myself some time, and I would get there eventually. And she was right. Today, I¡¯m thrilled to have finished treatment and excited to finally be cancer-free.

MD Anderson depends on the generous support of donors to fund our groundbreaking cancer research and patient support programs that benefit patients like Ashley. Make your gift today.

or by calling 1-877-632-6789.