Share Your Story: Meet Shiana

Meet Shiana, a young breast cancer fighter who was diagnosed at age 25! She shares her inspiring story about her rigorous treatment and battling depression.

What type of Breast Cancer do/did you have?

Her2+ ER+\PR+ Stage 4

Is your breast cancer in remission? If yes, when did you go into remission?

No

When were you diagnosed and at what age? Can you tell us a little about how you found out and the stage?

I was diagnosed April 15, 2013 at 25 years old with stage 4 breast cancer, bone,spine and brain Mets. I had always had a lump in my breast since I was about 14 but didn’t think it was more than a cyst. Before my diagnosis I was having a lot of chest and back pain. I didn’t think much of it because at 25 you don’t think of a major health issue. My boss suggested seeing my doctor anyway and I did. She diagnosed me with something else and I asked if I could have my cyst removed. She said I needed an ultrasound so I went the next day and from there I knew it was not going to be good. My ultrasound had too many technicians coming in, that same day they wanted to do a mammogram and then they wanted a biopsy of my right breast where most of the masses were. That Monday I learned the masses were malignant.

What were your thoughts?

I was shocked and didn’t have many words. I called family and friends to tell them and ensured them God had me and I would be ok. However, once I fully grasped what stage 4 meant, it almost broke me. I cried about it and questioned why God allowed it to happen.

Can you tell us about your treatment and how that has gone? Were there any obstacles and how did you overcome them?

I was on Taxotere, herceptin, perjeta and zometta. I worked throughout the treatment. It was hard at times for me especially having to allow family to help me and be vulnerable because I was very independent. Losing my hair was hard for me, I didn’t find myself attractive and I felt stripped of womanhood. I began to have a lot of swelling and couldn’t walk but still went to work. Eventually my treatment had to stop and ended early. Learning that I would not be able to have kids was very hard for me emotionally and still to this day. With everything, I did go through depression and at times didn’t want to be here but I kept God in my life got the help I needed. I’ve been off anti-depressants almost a year.

What has been the most helpful for you in the support you have received from family and friends? If any support.

Everyone has been the very best support they could be. I had people to actually care for me by being there financially, emotionally,physically and spiritually. My grandmother moving back to Chicago from Reno meant a lot to me; more than anything.

What message do you have for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer?

Even though you have been diagnosed with cancer don’t look at it as a burden. Look at it as an opportunity on a new journey in life, have faith and trust God!

What would you like to see for breast cancer patients in the future? How can the world help relieve the stress of diagnoses to remission?

I would like to see more research and support for metastatic breast cancer. There isn’t enough research in that area.

Thank you Shiana for sharing your story!