Finding Strength and Seeking Answers
When Nisha received her breast cancer diagnosis, her world shifted instantly. As a mother of three, including a daughter born with a congenital heart disease, she had always advocated for her children’s health. Now, she found herself in the position of advocating for her own. As a Susan G. Komen employee and ShareForCures® participant, Nisha’s story underscores how sharing experiences and advocating for oneself can impact the future and improve outcomes for so many others.
Before a pool day with her family, Nisha brushed her hand across her chest and felt what she described as a “speed bump” under her collarbone.
“My husband and I happened to be facing each other, and I must have turned white because he immediately asked what was wrong,” she said. “You try to figure out all the things it could be besides cancer. We had moved patio furniture that day, so I thought it must have been related to that, but I sought a walk-in mammogram the next day.”
At her initial appointment, Nisha had to advocate for herself after the nurse practitioner said she didn’t feel anything. “They said I would need to go to a different location to get a same-day mammogram, and at the new location, they immediately said the radiologist wanted to speak with me after the mammogram,” she said.
After a biopsy and a brief waiting period — during which she stayed glued to her phone — Nisha received the call that changed everything. “It was my kids’ last day of school. Summer was officially upon us, and I remember watching my kids play with the water hose outside the window of my parents’ house when my phone rang,” she said.
An Unexpected Diagnosis
“The doctor told me, ‘We’ll tell you the staging later, but we do know that it’s HER2-positive, so that’s not the best. You’ll need a very aggressive treatment plan,’” Nisha recalled.
Processing the news was overwhelming. “I think I cried for four or five days straight. I couldn’t get it together,” she said.
At first, she didn’t tell her children. Having suffered from migraines for years, she leaned on that explanation. “The kids always saw me with ice packs because I used them to ease my migraines,” she said. “So, when I was struggling emotionally, I told them I was having a migraine.”
Beyond her emotions, Nisha also faced the challenge of navigating treatment options and making decisions for her future.
Seeking Multiple Opinions and Receiving Treatment
Nisha didn’t accept the first treatment plan she received without exploring her options. “I advocate for my daughter. When she had her first open-heart surgery, I went to multiple hospitals for opinions. So, I thought I should do the same for myself,” she said.
After multiple medical opinions, the response was unanimous. “Everyone told me I needed to start chemotherapy immediately because HER2-positive is very aggressive,” she said.
She began chemotherapy on July 5.
“It was tough because the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday,” Nisha said. “I was so upset. I felt like the Fourth of July was ruined forever.” The chemotherapy regimen, TCHP, was grueling. “It was really bad. Some people do OK with chemo, but for me, it was the worst,” she said.
Like many people facing breast cancer, Nisha had to choose between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy.
“It was the worst decision you could ever make because no matter what, it feels like you can’t make the right choice,” she said. “I remember asking in Facebook groups, ‘Please, someone tell me what to do. I don’t know what to do.’”
Ultimately, her doctors assured her that, given her tumor’s location, a lumpectomy would be just as effective as a mastectomy. Nisha also felt strongly about avoiding additional breast reconstructive surgeries. “I knew I wouldn’t do that because I’m terribly frightened of surgery,” she said.
Despite the challenges, the chemotherapy worked. “It shrunk my tumor so much that when I had my lumpectomy, the margins were clear,” she said.
ShareForCures and the Importance of Participating in Research
During treatment, Nisha learned about research registries and decided to participate as her own way to help advance research efforts for future generations.
“I joined a registry related to breast cancer research. I saw it when I went to a radiation therapy appointment,” she said.
Her commitment deepened after learning about Komen’s ShareForCures at a 3-Day event in San Diego. “ I saw a booth and decided to learn more. Research is why I’m alive today,” she said.
“If someone hadn’t stepped up for research before, I may not be here. So many people with HER2-positive may not be here,” she said. “If sharing my information, providing a swab sample, can help open up something that could help someone else, I’m in.”
Nisha found the sign-up process was easier than expected. “I thought it would be more complicated, but it was really simple. It took me less than 20 minutes to go through it,” she said.
One feature stood out to her, especially compared to the other registry she had been a part of. “I loved the dashboard. It felt like I could track what I had shared and see how it might help in the future,” she said.
“If sharing my information, providing a swab sample, can help open up something that could help someone else, I’m in.”
Moving Forward
From that call on an early summer day to now being a Komen employee and working every day to help others share their breast cancer experiences, Nisha’s story has come full circle. She made choices not just for herself but for her children, navigating a reality where she had to fight for her future while protecting their innocence. Through it all, she leaned on the unwavering support of her family, who rallied around her, even turning difficult moments like shaving her head into shared acts of solidarity with a head shaving party.
Nisha’s story is a testament to the power of self-advocacy, perseverance and sharing information to help advance breast cancer research.
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.
