Brittany Gray

Survivor

 I was diagnosed with DCIS (stage 0) in the left breast in 2023 at the age of 41. Due to its large size, it was recommended by my surgeon to have a mastectomy. I opted for a bilateral because the right breast had been biopsied multiple times itself and the nipple was leaking, but no sign of cancer yet. On May 1, 2023, I had my nipple sparing double mastectomy without reconstruction (planned for a later time) with lymph nodes negative for any remaining cancer. Everything looked good. 

Fast forward to January 2025. During a routine chest X-ray for my RA and Sjorgens, a nodule was found on my lung. Not a huge deal at first, but my rheumatologist wanted a CT scan. CT scan showed a suspicious mass. Subsequent PET scan lit it up as a possible malignant mass. Lung biopsy showed that it was staining identical to the DCIS that I had two years prior. This was deemed a metastasis and seen as rare. In April 2025, I undergone radiation treatments. In May 2025, I had my ovaries removed so I could begin anastrazole the next month. I began Verzenio after that. 

Through all of this, I have been blessed with huge amounts of support—my wonderful husband, daughters, best friend, mom and dad, and countless friends. I’ve never felt alone, and I’ve grown so much stronger, but this journey is still super tough. 

There are still tough days, and I know there always will be, but I know I’m not alone. I continue to pursue my passions of teaching, and finishing my dissertation proposal. 

My prayer, and hope, is for no one to have to endure this disease anymore, and to not go through the countless tests, scans, surgeries, biopsies, and meds. It’s time for a change.