On March 19, 2024, at 26 years old, I was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer. I have taken the last few months to digest my new reality, and learn how to handle my new normal. In February, I randomly felt a lump on the side of my left breast. I think it was a gut feeling, but I knew immediately that something was wrong. I know my body well enough to know that this was something new and foreign. I scheduled an appt with my primary doctor who referred me to an ultrasound, which led to a mammogram and biopsy, which confirmed the worst. The past few months have been a whirlwind of emotions, endless appts, bloodwork, imaging tests, and hours spent researching so I can learn as much as I can to be my own advocate throughout this “jOuRnEy.” 🙃 After learning my treatment plan, I was extremely overwhelmed. I was told I would lose all of my hair, my nails may turn black, I needed to freeze my eggs and decide on a mastectomy or lumpectomy. I felt like every bit of my femininity was being stripped from me. I went to 3 doctors for other opinions and ultimately was recommended the same treatment plan. Chemotherapy, then surgery, then radiation, making this the outlook of my 2024 year. In April I went on a vacation I already had planned, before beginning this journey that felt impossible. I came back to LA and began two weeks of fertility self-injections before freezing my eggs, and beginning chemo on May 21. I had learned about cold capping to prevent hair loss, and heard both positive and negative experiences, but knew it was something that I wanted to absolutely try. Chemo works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, like cancer cells, and unfortunately hair cells. The cold caps work by cooling and constricting your blood vessels on the scalp, reducing the amount of chemo drugs that reach this area. At this point, I am extremely happy with the results. Since starting, I was anticipating major hair loss, but (thankfully) have maintained most of my hair. I have currently completed 3 of my 6 prescribed chemo sessions, making me halfway done. (Yay!) 💖 (Continued in comments...)