Shawna Bramel’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) following a devastating miscarriage. Throughout her treatment, her unwavering faith helped her face breast cancer head-on and find hope for the future.
New Beginnings and an Unexpected Discovery
After a whirlwind of life events – getting married, welcoming her daughter, Aubrey, and moving into a new home – Shawna was ready for life to settle down. It was while breastfeeding that she first noticed an unusual lump.
“My first instinct was that it had to be due to a clogged milk duct,” she said. “But as time went on and I stopped breastfeeding, the lump was still there.”
Then, in 2021, the unthinkable happened. Shawna suffered a miscarriage. While at the appointment with her OB/GYN, she mentioned the lump.
“I still thank God to this day that I said something,” she said. “Since I was 35, she felt it was most likely due to hormones from the miscarriage, but after I shared the lump was there long before the pregnancy, she decided I needed a diagnostic mammogram and a breast ultrasound.”
Triple Negative Breast Cancer at 35
After the tests revealed two suspicious masses, doctors recommended a biopsy. The results confirmed Shawna had stage 2B, triple negative breast cancer.
“Being told you have breast cancer takes the life out of you in a split second,” she said. “Waiting for the appointment with the breast surgeon took a lot of prayers and trying not to panic.”
Shawna, who is a medical social worker, utilized her experience working with cancer patients to help navigate her emotions.
“I put on my social work hat and went into full-force fight mode,” she said. “I researched everything and familiarized myself with treatment options so I could make informed decisions for myself.”
An Aggressive Treatment Plan
Her treatment began with 16 rounds of chemotherapy, which included four different drugs.
“Most triple negative breast cancer patients are treated with three chemo drugs, but because I was young, my doctor felt I could handle all four medications,” she said. “My husband told me, ‘Just give it all you’ve got. This is your one big chance to throw everything at it and kill it.’”
The chemo treatments successfully shrank the tumors, and Shawna had a lumpectomy to remove the remaining cancerous tissue. The final – and most emotional – part of her treatment plan was 30 rounds of radiation therapy.
“Radiation was hard,” she said. “It put me in a very vulnerable position and was very tiring. It was an emotional roller coaster to go through.”
After 10 months of intense treatment, Shawna’s scans showed no evidence of disease. She could finally take a breath and grieve the impact of her treatment on her fertility.
“During treatment, I went into survival mode,” she said. “I battled with anxiety and grief. I lost so much of myself. I lost my hair, my old self, my normal life, my second child, my fertility and part of my breasts.”
Fertility Struggles and the Emotional Toll of Breast Cancer
During treatment, Shawna’s menstrual cycle became irregular, and she experienced symptoms of perimenopause.
“I battled with anxiety and grief. I lost so much of myself. I lost my hair, my old self, my normal life, my second child, my fertility and part of my breasts.”
Shawna Bramel
“It’s another slap to the face, because I feel like cancer took away my chance to have another child,” she said. “I go through the whole grief cycle – denial, bargaining, anger, acceptance. Today, I’m in the acceptance phase, but tomorrow that may change.”
Despite the hurdles, Shawna hopes to expand her family and has been working with a fertility clinic to improve her chances of conceiving. She and her husband are also considering adoption. “No matter what our future family looks like, we know that it’s in God’s hands,” she said.
While she still struggles with PTSD, Shawna chooses to move forward and cherishing every day.
“I feel like I’ll never be the same person as before,” she said. “But I do feel like I’m stronger. I have a new zest for life and a lot more gratitude for what I have and what God gives me.”
Click here for more information about the unique needs of young breast cancer survivors, including the impact of treatment on fertility.
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 healthcare provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
