On November 14, 2005, I noticed my left breast was a bit red and warm to the touch. I asked my husband if he noticed it and he said, "Yeah, it is a little red." This was on my daughter Indya's 3rd birthday and I was at the time breastfeeding my then 13 month old daughter Imry. I started searching my breast for what I thought was a clogged milk duct and I found it no problem, thinking this has to be mastitis. Cut to two doctors later who said take a couple of round of antibiotics and call me in a month, but my spirit new something wasn't right. Why didn't I have any other symptoms of mastitis such as fever, flu like symptoms? My husband and I both felt it was in my best interest to pursue and find a Dr. who would take me seriously.

We found a wonderful breast specialist who did an ultrasound and a mammogram. This only confirmed my worst fear, breast cancer. I was 29 years old when I was diagnosed with stage 2A Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I did not have inflammatory even though it seemed that way at first. The milk flow was disturbing the cancer and so my breast started to redden. In other words, my daughter saved my life. Had I not been breastfeeding I would not have found my cancer so early nor would I have felt it; my breasts were too large and lump somewhat small.

I started treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with neoadjuvent chemotherapy and 12 rounds of taxol, 4 rounds FAC, surgery, then 6 weeks of radiation. After 12 weeks of Taxol they could no longer find my cancer; I had what they called a complete response. Many of the doctors tried to explain it away but I knew God had given me a miracle. I didn't know why I had received it, but I did.

I have learned many things during my go round with BC: faith matters, family matters, and a supportive network of loving caregivers matters too. I surrounded myself with love, laughter, support, and friends who helped me through my many a dark day. I am so blessed to have a loving supportive husband who believes in me, as well as two beautiful daughters who can one day say my mother went through the trenches with dignity, conviction, passion, and most of all, a love for God.

I have been NED since March 2005 and I plan to stay that way. I continue my quarterly exams and follow ups, am currently taking Tomoxifen, and will be trying for baby #3 next year when I have done my two years on Tomoxifen. I would not change this chapter of my life because of the strength, perseverance, character, and gifts I learned were inside me and around me. I cherish my moments fully with my family and know that I have a purpose and I will not allow cancer to take that from me.

Healed By His Stripes,
Destini Shrout-Jordan 21 month breast cancer survivor