Meet Breast Cancer Grad, Georgia O'Connell
Name: Georgia O'Connell
Age at Enrollment: 35
Major: Triple Negative Breast Cancer; Stage 2A; Grade 3
“I had given birth to my son only 10 months prior so we all thought it was a blocked milk duct issue. How I wish it was!!”
What were the primary symptoms you experienced prior to diagnosis? I felt a lump form at the top of my left breast.
What symptom(s) lead you to go to the doctor? The lump grew in size. I left it for a week prior to going to my doctor just in case it was nothing & disappeared. I had given birth to my son only 10 months prior so we all thought it was a blocked milk duct issue. How I wish it was!!
Courses Completed: Lumpectomy & lymph node dissection; egg retrieval for fertility preservation; 6 rounds of FEC-T chemo & 20 rounds of radio.
What was your hardest moment (or moments) and how did you get through it/them? My hardest moments during treatment were not being able to care for & keep up with my then 1 year old son due to the chemo side effects. Also, I have found that my hardest moments came at the end of treatment. From diagnosis to the finish line it felt like I was on autopilot. It has only been since treatment ended (with time to reflect upon what has happened) that I have found moments difficult.
“Lean on family & friends; they want to help you & are ready & waiting”
Any helpful (tangible) tips or tricks you discovered for dealing with your symptoms and/or cancer? Lean on family & friends; they want to help you & are ready & waiting. I'm so grateful for my family & friends who have got me through each in their own way. I am also so grateful to my 'silent sisters' who have guided & educated me via forums & groups on social media. United we fight & together we stand strong!!
“I am also so grateful to my ‘silent sisters’ who have guided & educated me via forums & groups on social media. United we fight & together we stand strong!!”
How did you find joy during this experience? By getting out in to the fresh air as much as I could on my good week during treatment with my husband & my son. Prior to diagnosis, I never realized just how much I took for granted the beautiful Welsh countryside in which I live.
Did you learn anything about yourself? If so, what was it? I discovered I had a very nice shaped bald head :)
In all honesty, I used to suffer with great anxiety prior to cancer. Now it has put everything into perspective for me & life suddenly appears so simple; be healthy, be happy & surround yourself with good people.
Thanks for sharing your cancer story with us, Georgia!
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