Meet Breast Cancer Grad, Brittany Alexander, aka "Superbritt"
Name: Brittany Alexander (aka "Superbritt")
Age at Enrollment: 26
Major: Breast Cancer Stage 2B
Primary symptoms you experienced prior to enrollment:
I experienced a sharp pain in my breast that would not go away.
What lead you to go to the doctor?:
A sharp pain, and my husband
What did you think you understood about cancer prior to your own diagnosis?
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer so I was told that it does not hurt. I only knew what I experienced through my mother, which was very helpful.
Courses completed:
I underwent a bilateral mastectomy, fertility treatments (because of my age), 16 rounds of chemotherapy and revision reconstruction surgery.
“Make sure you are certain about your decisions. Trust your gut. I am not going to tell you that it will be easy, but know that you can get through.”
What you’d like other women (and men) to know about breast cancer:
My cancer was considered early stage breast cancer. I am ER+PR+HER2-.
Any helpful tips or tricks for other people navigating a diagnosis (i.e. chemo tips, surgery tips, radiation tips)?
Make sure you are certain about your decisions. Trust your gut. I am not going to tell you that it will be easy, but know that you can get through. These were my tips when it came to my surgeries and chemo treatments.
Anything you wished you knew prior to diagnosis? All of the symptoms of breast cancer. The only thing I knew was to check for a lump, but never any other symptoms. There are so many.
Has a cancer diagnosis changed your outlook on life? If so, how?
Yes. Never take life for granted and don't take it so seriously. Cancer has opened my eyes to bigger and better things. I used to care about what others thought of me- my image and being accepted. Now, I just live. It took cancer to make me feel that way, and I am thankful. When I was diagnosed, I did not ask "why me?". My thought was, "Okay this is my next chapter, and I have to just roll with the punches."
“When I was diagnosed, I did not ask “why me?”. My thought was, “Okay this is my next chapter, and I have to just roll with the punches.””
Do you experience post-diagnosis anxiety of any sort? If so, any advice or tips on how to manage it?
Yes! Always remember to stay true to yourself and your decisions, and to live life. Sometimes I have my days when I think about it, but I always try to turn a negative into a positive to help me get through the anxiety. Starting the Superbritt blog has helped me release some of my fears and embrace happiness.
Did you learn anything about yourself?
Yes- that life had a greater purpose for me. I've never had it easy, and never expected to have it easy. Cancer was something that I checked off a list. I realized that I am stronger than I thought and I can handle any obstacle that is thrown at me.
Thanks for sharing your Cancer Grad story with us, Superbritt!
Suns out, guns out!