My First Breast Cancer Symptoms: 'I Knew I Had Cancer' | Christine's Story | The Patient Story

Christine Elliott was only 31 when she found a lump under her left arm and breast area. She was then diagnosed with stage 3 triple positive breast cancer.

In this conversation, she voices how she underwent chemotherapy, radiation and a lumpectomy along with the tough choices she had to make about family planning. She also shares the powerful lessons she learned throughout her cancer journey.

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[amaliefedor]

I was diagnosed at age 42, had double mastectomy, chemo, radiation and herceptin. Just turned 65, and still cancer free. Best advice for me was to follow all of the protocol exactly. I survived and all of us can too! Rely on all resources available to you.

[Iamladychandler]

I am scheduled for a mammogram on 4/17/24. The other day I was thinking about the upcoming procedure when I heard a very soft voice say you have cancer but you’re gonna be ok. I didn’t panic but I wondered if it was my own thinking so I asked for confirmation of what I heard and I got it twice.
About ten years ago I had a breast cancer scare it was benign fibroadenoma, I had to have a partial mastectomy, luckily my girls are big and you can’t tell that they did anything. Anyway I’m praying for all you strong warrior queens so stay prayerful, strong and positive because God is in control.❤🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[motherofthreeb]

Mammogram DID NOT catch my cancer! 😢 Had a mammogram in June 2019 and I was told every things looks good! July 2019, red spots appeared on my breast and I KNEW it was cancer. Wanted my December MRI immediately! Doctor wanted me to wait, but I insisted! Had MRI August 2019 and cancer was found; not one mass, but TWO! Imagine had I waited until December! COVID hit January 2020 and getting appointments and the new protocols were horrible! All testing and surgery was completed by November! Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself! Never take no for an answer because you know your body!

[rachellattanzio]

I was 43 when I found my lump on my right breast... I dedcided to do a right side masectomy. Its almost 2 years now since my find and my surgery... Am glad u were able to find yours.😊

[JessDAblessed]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. The whole reason I’m watching right now is because I literally about an hour ago just found a very hard noticeable lump in my breast, and am now examining both of my breasts and noticing some differences I hadn’t noticed before I am writing this through tears and am freaking out, but the fact that you’re sharing your story is offering some solace

[carolinekinney]

I found a hard lump in my breast yesterday. I’m 60 and have taken HRT for a long while. I’ve been doing research on the internet but they say it’s most likely nothing. I’m not sure I want to know. I have other health issues going on and I just feel tired. Listening to all you wonderful women who are so brave and strong gives me courage. Thank you for sharing your lives with others who need to know about this.

[EC-ydyv]

Sending much love, cares n prayers to all those facing the Cancer beast..💕🙏✨💕

[janelleabbott]

This was the most candid cancer journey where actually I have learned from her experience ❤❤😊😊 I'm so happy you beat cancer!!😊

[melissabrown]

I'm a BC survivor & had a nipple sparing double mastectomy. Just wanted to share that not everyone loses their nipples. So happy to hear you're doing well!

[idkwtfmakemyusername]

My husband just went thru stage 3 colon cancer. He's doing amazing now. We just walked thru that and he had his chemo port removed and all scans clear...1 month later my mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer. This past wk was when we got the news. She sees a surgeon this Thurs so we don't know much yet but I've just been reading and watching as much as I can to try and learn about what to expect but I feel so overwhelmed and lost. I feel like we just caught our breath from my husband's journey now we are headed back to battle with my Mom. She's 67. She doesn't have any symptoms except the mass showed on a mammogram so she had a sonogram then a biopsy. We are all trying to digest this news and prepare for what's ahead. There really is no way to prepare. I just feel absolutely lost. ❤ prayers to you and all those affected by this disease. It's like a boogyman creeping around who can wreak havoc at any moment.

[jinx]

My first symptom was pain. I kept getting told that pain is not a symptom, but I knew something was wrong. Because it was during Covid, I had to fight for months to finally get a mammogram. I was very lucky that it was caught at stage 1.

[melanieadcock]

I was diagnosed in December of 2023 with Stage 3 HER2+ breast cancer. I am 62. I found it rolling over in bed. Our local hospital system sucks. My Gynecologist got me right in but I could not get in for a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound for 2 months. I called a friend who worked at the hospital and I got an appt. the following week. I knew it was cancer when I saw one of the mammogram images. They did an ultrasound next and then I saw the tumor and a lymph node was involved. The radiologist confirmed cancer. They scheduled the biopsy from hell the following week. Results took two weeks to confirm cancer but another week to get the type. They only tested the lymph node for the type.
In the meantime, I started the admission process with City of. Hope Atlanta (formerly Cancer Treatment Center of America) because of their integrated approach. It is located 4 miles from where I live. I am doing the TCHP regimen. My husband had prostate cancer the year before and his treatment there was fabulous.
Like you said it was a blur of appointments. With City of Hope they schedule entire days of appointments so you can knock out several at once. CT Scan, MRI, PET Scan, Echocardiogram, blood tests galore, genetic test, port placement and some I likely have forgotten I had.
I finished my second chemo today. My first session's side effects were horrible. I had a bad reaction to the Neulasta injection following chemo. (the nurse forgot to tell me to take Claritin). Once I got a handle on that, the only issue that caused me to lose weight was it killed all my taste buds except for bitter. I already had parosmia from covid in the summer, but it was only a few foods. Now it was every food. It did slowly improve, but now I have a long list of foods that are a big no. The nausea and diarrhea were manageable. An unexpected side effect was severe acne on my face. I also did cold cap therapy to try and save my hair. My hair started falling out on day 16 and by day 19 I had lost half of it. I had long platinum blond hair. I had it cut down to pixie, so it won't be as traumatic to lose the rest. I didn't do the cold cap today. I have some nice wigs to wear.
My tumor has shrunk after the first session noticeably. I met with the plastic surgeon this week to go over the reconstruction plan. My naturopath has me on supplements and my nutritionist is helping with the diet. I've lost 18 lbs since the diagnosis. The first 10 were from anxiety. The rest is from not being able to eat for about 10 days following the first chemo.
I only have 6 chemo treatments. At this point, they don't know if they will have to continue the immunotherapy infusions for the next year because I am only 10% estrogen positive. I'll have surgery in May followed by 30 radiation treatments (6 weeks, 5 days a week) beginning 6 weeks after surgery. Six months later, I'll get reconstruction.
Fortunately, I signed up in 2003 for AFLAC Cancer policy. The initial payout more than met my deductible with my insurance. It covers so much.

[angelemenard]

Thank you for sharing your story. I am at the chemo before surgery stage. I needed to hear your story to feel like I am not alone. ❤❤

[maryspangler]

I just wanted to say how positive you are. Gotta face it head on and do only what you can do. I had stage 3, breast removed, implant placed, estrogen dependent. It was 4 yrs. ago and trying to be as positive as possible. I'm an older lady so my only complaint is taking an estrogen blocker..but living in a constant hot flash.
I look at my Blessings because I was able to have children and find my grandchildren my Joy.
My husband had Leukemia at the same time..but died 3.5 yrs. Ago.
I've had a full life. I wish you the same.
My love & Blessings to You & Your Husband. ❤

[purpleviolet]

You are in my thoughts & prayers!💕🙏💕

[CHANCEINTUITIVE]

Thank you so much for sharing. My mom passed away when she was 35 years old from this and it is my biggest fear.

[susantaulli]

I’m an older woman diagnosed with the same breast cancer. I can’t imagine going through this in the prime of life as you are. ❤

[lilietatakau]

Thank you for sharing your courageous and successful journey. I'm on my healing journey from similar stage BC and have 1 more chemo cycle this month before surgery. Stay blessed 🙌

[lt]

Thank you for sharing your story, May you live a healthy happy long life 🙏 I think I have breast cancer symptoms. Since 20th march I have had sudden breast tenderness and soreness, I was hoping it will go away but now I am feeling the discomfort under my armpit too. I can't feel a lump however its all day burning feeling and swelling feel I have never experienced in my life before. I called my doctor this morning and they have given me doctors appointment for tomorrw. I am a single parent to 2 severely disabled children. They only have me, their father not wanting to be in their lives. I need to live for them 🙏

[MumOfJade]

I'm 32. I went to My gp Friday because my left breast didn't look right. He found a lump and I'm awaiting a mammogram. I am so nervous. Thank you for sharing your story. You are so brave ❤