My husband found the lump in mid-November. At first I was too scared to even think about it. I finally got the courage to set up the appointment with my gynecologist. He was suspicious, so he gave me a prescription to have an MRI. I got an appointment for my MRI in December.

My husband came along, and we persuaded the radiologist to review my case to give me some insight before the holiday. I honestly thought it was nothing to worry about. At the radiologist's office, the first thing he said was, "I am sorry to give you this news before the Christmas holiday; in my assessment it looks like cancer. However, the only way to confirm is by a biopsy."

My gynecologist's office provided me with a list of breast surgeons. I called everyone on the entire paper to see who would see me the earliest. Due to the fact that it was the holiday, the earliest was January 19, 2007. That was when it was confirmed that I had breast cancer, Stage II.

I actually was okay because I knew I would be cured and I would be eligible for reconstructive surgery. While this was going on I was managing a demanding job and two children. We scheduled my surgery for February 26, 2007. My surgeon requested that I get a PET/CT scan, which I did. However, the day before the surgery, my surgeon's receptionist advised me that my surgery was cancelled and that I needed to see my oncologist. So I called my oncologist and made an appointment for the following day. The lack of communication upset me as I had made arrangements for my work and children. The hardest thing was to tell my 4-year-old what was happening so she was prepared.

My husband and I went to see my oncologist. I remained positive, not expecting what was coming. My oncologist advised me that the cancer has spread to my liver. We asked, "What does this mean?" My oncologist told me that I was Stage IV and no longer curable, just treatable. That was when I lost it. Why me and why now? I was being strong and handling everything up til now, but this? I had two small children. What about them?

I was told to have laparoscopy of the liver and then chemo would begin. I was not happy with the results. I knew things were being postponed, however I went for a second opinion, and the second oncologist confirmed the same thing. Therefore, we moved forward with the laparoscopy. The second oncologist suggested skin graft testing, and my port was installed for chemo as well.

The surgery was March 1st and was successful. I finally had my first chemo, and I was feeling just a bit tired and weak. I resumed my normal life with work and my family. After my second chemo, I lost my hair. This was a bit upsetting as I always had long hair. We shopped for a wig that Sunday.

On the way back, I was very weak and my right arm swelled up. I really did not think much of it then but at my appointment with my oncologist, she admitted me through the emergency room. I was informed that I had blood clots so I was put on blood thinner. Two days after, I started running a fever. A vascular doctor advised me that my port was infected, and I had emergency surgery that same day. The next day, my fever still remained, and, when my vascular doctor came, he said it looked like there was still an infection inside so he had to take me back into surgery and reopen the wound. He replaced the port and installed a double port under my right breast. This postponed my chemo, and I was getting nervous that this would make the cancer spread. My oncologist advised me not to worry. I started having nose bleeds, so a specialist was called for this as well.

My 35th birthday was coming up and instead of celebrating, I was receiving pain from various doctors. Finally, they realized the infection was coming from my lung. I was released with two machines attached to me. I was very unhappy, but I was going home to my family. Two months later the machines finally came off, and I started working from home and felt a bit normal. My company was great, supporting me in every way.

I finally finished chemo in May, and my hair started growing back. I started talking to the oncologist for next steps. My breast surgeon was eager and ready for the surgery. I found a second breast surgeon from my oncologist. She was well known in her field, and she told me "This is your choice. You do not need to get the modified radical mastectomy, however, you will need to be treated for the rest of your life."

After deliberating with my husband, we scheduled the surgery for August 9, 2007. I am recovering from a modified radical mastectomy with 23 lymph nodes removed, all which were negative. I will be on Herceptin for the rest of my life, unless something else comes along.

One lesson I would pass on to other cancer patients is to always get a second opinion and always check with your insurance company to ensure that all the doctors treating you are covered. When I was put in the emergency room, three doctors who cared for me were not covered and I am still fighting the insurance company for resolution. When you have cancer, this is the last thing you need to be concerned about.

I have many good things to look forward to even though I have had a rough path. I have two beautiful children, a loving and supportive husband who has given me the gift of my dream house, so I guess there is a happy ending.