This past year I celebrated my 5-year milestone by being breast cancer-free. During these past few months, I have been reflecting how no one in my immediate or extended family had ever had cancer of any kind. I was feeling blessed, in a way, and hoping that I was the odd one. I would be the only one who had gotten and survived breast cancer and then we could continue our cancer-free family statistic as before. All of that changed one day this past month, when my 14-year old daughter was diagnosed with a rare breast cancer tumor. What should have been a "routine" fibroid adenoma turned out to be a malignant Phyllodes tumor. I thought incredibly "How can this happen to a 14-year-old?" I left her surgeon's office with an Internet printout and an old, familiar panic in my stomach. Later at home, my Internet research provided little comfort as I discovered that this tumor occurs in relatively small numbers and usually in women over 45 years of age. This tumor doesn't respond to chemo or radiation therapy. Surgical removal is the only treatment currently available.
My daughter has since recovered nicely and has been able to resume her busy schedule of school, cheerleading and lacrosse. Fortunately, a second opinion pathology report diagnosed her with a benign, Phyllodes tumor. I am still seeking second and third opinions with specialists. She may need another surgery along with constant follow up. She could have a recurrence at any time which may or may not be malignant. I don't want her to worry about this. I don't want her to stop being a 14-year old, to stop being who she is - a smart, beautiful young girl getting ready for her 8th grade dance.
Mothers and daughters share many things - clothes, shoes, jewelry; but I never thought we would be sharing breast scars.
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