Kathryn Zandecki Okay, here goes... At the age of 28, breast cancer was the furthest thing from my mind. In July of 2000, I'd gone for breast reduction surgery. Imagine my sheer shock at finding out that the surgeon had cut directly into a 2.5 cm tumor during the procedure. I had to have a mastectomy, followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. It changed my life forever. I went on, pursuing advocacy and awareness for young women. I'd speak to anyone who would listen. I assisted in cancer trainings, volunteered with Reach to Recovery, breast cancer fundraising events. I became an active member of the Young Survival Coalition. I was knee-deep in activity to promote awareness. Yet somehow, though I was constantly vigilant about any ache or pain, I didn't really believe that it would ever come back to haunt me again. In August 2004 my life derailed once again, however. I began having abdominal swelling and pain in my right side. My Oncologist sent me for a CT scan. When the results came back, he found that my liver had been 80-90% affected by metastasis. They got on the phone with the American Red Cross and had my husband sent home from the Persian Gulf. I was sick so sick that I couldn't eat. I dropped 20 pounds in a month's time. My prognosis was "guarded." They had me started on chemotherapy immediately. I am currently about mid-span through treatment and will continue on Herceptin for the rest of my life. The early scans indicate that treatment is working and that I should survive this for now. The ascites in my abdomen is completely gone and my liver is much smaller than it was. So many people think that breast cancer is something that only older women need to worry about, but it's so far from the truth. I just turned 33 in September. I have three children, aged 12 and 6 (twins). The realities are that I may not be around to watch them grow up, and the idea of that is so painful for me. At the same time, though, I am optimistic. I have a firm belief that I can and will beat this. I'm young, I'm strong. My treatment is working. I feel good most of the time. The only outward sign that I'm having trouble at all is my lack of hair due to chemotherapy. Awareness and hope are two important components for women with metastasis. We need awareness in order to make sure that other women know that this is a real concern. It can come back. It does come back. At the same time we need to have hope. Hope that there will be a cure. Hope that the mets don't grow any further. Hope for another day of life. Perhaps by telling my story, I can spread both components. - Kathryn Zandecki
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