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Todays Fabulous Feature is Kelly over at Hey Cancer, you picked the wrong Bitch.

I met Kelly a few months back and am excited to finally be featuring her on my site.

"Kelly was diagnosed with stage 3A breast cancer at the age of 31. Through her posts, you will read how cancer has changed her life and the struggles she faces."

Her Journey has just begun:

1. Why did you decided to share your cancer story with the blogging world?
I decided to start the blog to keep my friends and family informed about what I was going through. It was easier to send out a link that they could check at their leisure rather than send out a mass email and worry if I forgot to include someone. After I started it, I realized that there was a much bigger advantage to the blog . . . networking. I hadn't been to any support groups mainly because in my area there are very few young women that know what I'm going through. The blog however has opened up that area to me.

2. When did you make the decision to go and see a doctor?
January 2008. I had a large mass in my breast from a previoius reduction surgery two years prior. Multiple doctors told me that it was most likely just scar tissue and that it was nothing to worry about, this was over a 1.5 year span. In December 2007 I lost my mother to ovarian cancer and in January I noticed that my bra was not fitting correctly on the right side. I called back the doctor and told him what was going on and that I was ready to have a biopsy done. He scheduled a mamogram for January 31, biopsy February 8 and I got the news February 12.

3. What has/had brought you hope and courage during the scary times?
I have a very supportive network of friends and family. Besides that, I somehow just knew that this wasn't going to get the best of me. It was just very nonchalant, like "Ok, cancer. How do I get rid of it". I think that finding this out so close to my mother passing away, I haven't adequately dealt with either on an emotional level. So, I'm sure that once all this is done with and I have time to take a step back and breathe that I may just have a melt down. At which point I'm sure I'll be contacting a therapist! :)

4. I read that you were told you might not be able to have children, how have things changed? have they changed? Do you have children?

I do not have children. One of the concerns that the doctors had was that chemo would destroy my ovaries. Recently I got my period back after being in premature menopause for 7 months. I have never been so happy to get my period in my life! I told everyone about it. They were like, why are you so happy to get that? When I explained that it meant that my ovaries were on their path to recovery they got it. The other concern the doctors have is that the hormone boost that comes with being pregnant could trigger the cancer to return. There is much controversy over this though, some docs think it's save while others think it's not worth the risk. At any case, I'm on hormone therapy for 5 years (estrogen blocker), so it's not really an issue right now. Plus, I'm single.

5. Did you have a strong support system (family, friends, etc) during all your treatments? Did you take part in any cancer support groups? What is your advice to those who might not have a strong support system?
Kinda touched on this one in question 3. Most of my friends are from grade school, we've been there for each other for many years and through many difficult times. They were so supportive. Before this, my family wasn't the closest. But now, we've become much more close and they were a big source of support. I didn't attend any support groups. Most of the women in them (in my area) are much older than me and have children and husbands. They couldn't relate to what I was going through. I did attend one seminar in Boston geared towards young women with breast cancer, which was helpful.

For those who don't have a strong support system, I would say that if there's a group in your area that matches then get in with those women. If not, the internet has many helpful sites and message boards. Plus there are organizations out there that will match you up with someone (another cancer survivor) who you can talk with on the phone.

Kelly with friends at a benefit that they did for her

6. Do you have a family history of cancer?
My mother had ovarian cancer, twice - first at 50 then again at 56. And my paternal aunt had breast cancer, not sure what age but it was later in life.

7. Did you lose your hair? If so, what was the bright side of dealing with your hair loss?

Sure did! It started falling out 2 weeks after my first chemo. I thought that it would be very traumatic to lose my hair, but surprisingly it wasn't. Once it started falling out I grabbed the buzzers one night and went to town. I had to call my brother to come and help me because I couldn't reach behind me and get the cut real close. I wish I had my camera that night, what a sight we must have been, shaving my head in my bathroom. There wasn't really a bright side of my hair loss . . . saving money on shampoo maybe. Every few weeks or so I would have to shave it again because a few prickly's would grow back. I got pretty handy with a razor and didn't even need the shower mirror after the first few times.

8. If there is one thing you could tell women about Breast Cancer what would it be?

That 40 is much too late to be getting your first mamogram, especially if you have a family history of cancer. I don't care what the doctors and insurance companies say, 40 is far too late to be establishing a baseline! 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and breast cancers in young women (under age 40) tend to be more aggressive. So if a mamogram is out of the question then do self breast exams, do them correctly, and do them frequently! You are your own advocate!

9. Anything else you would like to share?
Some sites that were most helpful to me:

www.youngsurvival.org

www.networkofstrength.org

www.caringbridge.org - Site where family/friends can track your medical progress while in treatment.

To read more about Kelly and her battle against cancer check out her site HERE.