Catherine Carswell

I was 21 years old, senior in college, was planning a night out with friends, then I was planning to save my life. I found out that I had breast cancer.  I was diagnosed on February 28, 2008 and later found out that my type of breast cancer was ductal carcinoma caused by the BRCA 2 gene.  The BRCA 2 gene causes the hereditary form of breast cancer. 

 

Everything happened so quickly.  Sunday I was shopping for a formal gown and my mom found a lump when she was zipping me up.  Monday I was in to the OB/GYN and Tuesday I had a sonogram and two mammograms. Wednesday was a biopsy and Thursday the doctor told me the news, the statistics were true and I was that one in a million case.  At the time of my diagnosis, I was the youngest person in the state to be a breast cancer survivor and one of the youngest in the nation.  Within two hours I was at the oncologist and plans were being made.  Family was flying in, my boyfriend was called from his job at Westside High, and friends and other relatives were coming together after hearing the news.  That night, having everyone in my home, I realized that I was not going to approach this with sadness and grief.  People were acting like I had died!  I declared from then on there would be no "basset hound faces" anywhere near me. 

 

With my team of doctors, a plan was created.  I started chemo in March and had six rounds of what was essentially poison pumped into my body. College was put on hold, my plans were postponed.  Everything became about cancer.  The side effects of chemo really got me down, but I had incredible friends and family who helped me through it. When I lost my hair, my friends came over and had a head shaving party.  I have had a photographer journaling my cancer journey who has caught everything from the hair shaving to chemo and everything in between. One of my huge stress relievers was writing in my blog, entitled, "The Funnier Side of Cancer."  It allowed people to keep up with my journey and gave me a positive way to deal with what I was going through.  I decided I was going to laugh in the face of cancer and encourage everyone to laugh with me.

 

I participated in this year's American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Bibb County.  I had participated in the past with the Weaver Middle School team.  This year, I had my own team, Team Cure Catherine!  They raised over $2000 for the American Cancer Society.  This year I walked in my very first survivor lap at Relay, I wore my purple shirt, sash, and medal and walked that first lap of the track.  One of my close friends and another breast cancer survivor, Tavia Henderson, walked that first lap with me and held my hand just like she had throughout my whole journey.  After that, one of the greatest moments of life occurred.  My best friend and boyfriend proposed to me back at the Team Cure Catherine tent in front of all my friends and family as well as a TV crew and my photographer.  I have never been happier!

 

At the beginning of August, I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.  I was in the hospital for almost a week and am now back at home recovering.  My hair is starting to grow back and I am busy planning my wedding in 2009.  The best part: I am now cancer free!

 

Do you know a breast cancer survivor who would like to share their story? Email Amy Walker with his or her information.