Kayla Alexander is a born and bred Jersey girl who was diagnosed with a type of breast cancer called invasive ductile carcinoma at age 26, after she felt a lump in her breast. This is her story in her own words.
I have been an athlete my entire life, working full-time in tech sales and part-time as a group fitness instructor, and I never thought I’d use the word “cancer” at my age.
In 2019, when I was a senior in college, my breasts at the time did not fit my body. They were different sizes and extremely small compared to my athletic build. I wanted to look more proportional and feel more myself. My mom allowed me to get implants. I had the implants placed underneath the muscle and had zero complications. This is important for later on.
Finding a Lump
Around March-April of 2023, I felt a small hard lump in my right breast near my nipple. At this time, I did not think anything of it. I was working full-time, working out and eating healthy most days and never considered at my age it could be breast cancer.
Being Told Not to Worry
In June 2023, it was time for my annual OBGYN appointment. At my appointment, I told the doctor about the breast lump and she dismissed it as a cyst. She did not run any tests or seem concerned, and she did not recommend a breast ultrasound because of my age. This doctor told me it was nothing and would likely go away.
The Lump Doesn’t Go Away
Soon after, my fiancé and I moved to Florida, where my parents had relocated. We were excited about living at the beach. My mom is a nurse, so she felt the lump in my breast that still hadn’t disappeared, and recommended that I go see her primary care physician for a routine check-up. She didn’t admit to me she didn’t like how the lump felt.
My First Breast Ultrasound & Mammogram
The PCP, after feeling the lump in my breast, sent me for an ultrasound. When I had my ultrasound appointment, I didn’t think anything of it. I was walking out when the nurse grabbed me and asked me to stay for a diagnostic mammogram. I had a meeting at work and really didn’t think it was going to be anything, but I stayed for the mammogram. A couple of hours later, I was told I needed a biopsy.
I Have Breast Cancer
People usually don’t give you bad news on the telephone, so when they called and asked me to come in for my results, I knew it wasn’t good. The next day, I learned I had stage 1A breast cancer. I was told that because I had implants, the tumor was pushed to the surface of my breast and didn’t spread to my lymph nodes.
Breast Surgery Choice
Because of the tumor size and stage, I was given the choice to have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. I decided to do a lumpectomy. Because of my age and my Oncotype score, I needed chemotherapy.
Egg Retrieval
Because I want to be a mom, the next step was to do IVF or an egg retrieval. I was able to have eight successful eggs saved. I feel grateful that, in my experience, this was not as painful or uncomfortable for me as for other women. I was uncomfortable the day of the retrieval, but that was it.
Chemotherapy is Difficult
I did six rounds of Taxol every three weeks. Throughout my chemo, I took a three-month leave from work but then decided to get back into the game. I was working full time and told myself, I am not letting this chemo get the best of me. I taught two group fitness classes a week.
I was as bald as a baby and made hats my statement. I remember the night my hair started coming out in clumps and I knew it was time to shave my head. My fiancé and I shaved it and I never felt more heartbreak. My hairwas my identity and that was extremely hard for me. My hair was down to the center of my back, so to make the transition easier, I cut it shoulder-length before shaving it.
Chemo was hard. I won’t lie. But it was all my mindset. I took my days I needed to cry and I took my good days and made them even better days. Once chemo ended, I felt relieved. I knew if I could do that, I honestly could do anything.
Radiation Isn’t So Bad
I had 20 days of radiation, which wasn’t too bad, especially after chemo. I did experience some fatigue and really bad armpit burn, but I worked out regularly and worked full-time during radiation.
Finding Myself
I would tell someone newly diagnosed to find yourself and find your thing during your breast cancer journey. For me, it was posting on social media and working out on the days I could, even if it was a simple walk. I also picked up golf and have started my own journey in wellness and mindset.
Cancer has made me journal more, speak more freely, be happier each day and appreciate life more. I did lose some friends who could not handle watching me go through what I did, but I gained more amazing friends who I wouldn’t imagine tomorrow without.
Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
