45: How I Found My Cancer

Episode 45 of the Shamelessly Feminine podcast, hosted by Jennifer Rozenbaum, titled "45: How I Found My Cancer" was published on May 21, 2019 and runs 35 minutes.

May 21, 2019 ·35m · Shamelessly Feminine

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Episode Description

The #1 question I get asked is: "How did they find your cancer?" I share it all in this episode. If you've ever wondered about my cancer story, this is your episode. Lauren and I talk about how doctors found my cancer, what life has been like since, and my advice to you about cancer.

How Doctors Found My Cancer

My cancer story started in 2016 when I went in for my first mammogram at age 40. Doctors found calcifications on the left side of my left breast and I was told to come back in six months to follow up. Not much had changed so I came back for a mammogram in another six months.

In January 2017, the mammogram revealed cysts on my right side, but again, there seemed to be no cause for alarm. Between January and July 2017, I took a selfie and noticed a shadow, a bump that just didn't look right. It didn't feel like a lump, but more like a swollen muscle.

I went for a sonogram in July 2017 and nothing new was found, but I mentioned to my doctors that I had found a bump on the upper part of my right breast. When they looked at the spot, a giant, football-sized hole appeared on the screen.

The technician went for the doctor, who told me that I couldn't leave until he performed a biopsy. During the biopsy, he implanted a titanium marker, which is standard procedure. The doctor came back and told me, "This isn't good," and I found out I had cancer. The cancer -- invasive lobular carcinoma -- never showed up on a mammogram because it doesn't take the form of tumors, but spreads through the lobules of the breasts. I also had no signs of being sick, but was really tired and couldn't find energy.

There was a week between the initial biopsy and the official diagnosis. As a patient that week, I had so many questions about the diagnosis, prognosis, and life questions like, "Do I tell my kids I love them enough?"

I made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy in July 2017.

The Battle After Cancer

Cancer has ripple effects. You're in "battle mode" during your treatment, and then you're in "battle mode" to put your life back together. The emotions come after you're out of survival mode.

You may have finished with surgery, chemo, and other treatments, but there is still so much more to process physically and emotionally. It's very easy for me to get paranoid about what I eat and how I live. The trauma of cancer treatment can manifest itself in physical reactions to smells and objects, i.e. needles.

I go to therapy to help me process my experience.

Some days are good and some days are just bad. However, when I look for it, I can find the good in my cancer like new friendships, perspectives, and opportunities.

My Advice About Cancer

Do self-checks, be your own advocate, talk to your doctor. And just know that even if you do everything right, you still might get cancer. I worked out, took my vitamins, ate well, and didn't have a family history of breast cancer, yet I still got cancer.

Connect with Lauren Trantham:

Lauren Trantham's superpower is fierce tenderheartedness. Just imagine an elite ninja crossed with a hopeful romantic and you can understand her personality! She believes in black coffee, dark beer, shooting straight liquor, and that true strength lies in vulnerability. When she is not riding her motorcycle or traveling the world she is helping entrepreneurs find their authentic message so they can grow their business by getting real.

Key Quotes from the Episode:

"Cancer doesn't always show up. It's not so simple." - Jen Rozenbaum
But then I said, "I'm ready to fight for my life." - Jen Rozenbaum
"There's no end to it." - Jen Rozenbaum
"I don't want to just keep putting Band-Aids on my boo-boos. I want to heal my boo-boos." - Jen Rozenbaum
"It's very easy for the darkness to overshadow the light." - Jen Rozenbaum
"Don't be afraid to call your doctor … Be your own advocate." - Jen Rozenbaum