What Breast Cancer Survival Looks Like: Caryn Rosenberg 2 Years Later

“I was getting fertility treatments, so I figured I should get a mammogram before I became pregnant. They found a tumor in my right breast. Instead of going through a pregnancy, I went through cancer treatment. After chemo and radiation, I might have gotten pregnant with in vitro, but I tested positive for [the genetic mutation] BRCA1 so I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. My husband and I looked into international adoption, but many countries won’t consider you if you’ve had cancer. By that point, I didn’t think it was fair to have a child, because of my risk of recurrence. That was a tough decision. I had to put my dream of becoming a mother away for another life. Just this summer, I found out my cancer has recurred in my lymph nodes and lungs. Thank god I didn’t bring a child into this world—or even adopt one—given that I’d be going through all of this. Whatever child’s soul that was supposed to be with me is, I hope, with another set of parents who are giving him or her that love.”

2009 UPDATE: I've been through a lot since 2007.  Right after publication of my comments, I was diagnosed with a recurrence of the triple negative breast cancer that had spread into my lungs.  For the first time, I had to go through chemo that would take my hair.  With that and radiation (and alternative treatments), I was in remission for about 10 months.  I continued my volunteering, enjoying life, and caring for my disabled mother.  I was even enjoying my new spikey haircut!

Then, one morning, I couldn't move the left side of my face.  Panicked, I called 911 and was taken to the hospital.  I had brain metatstasis.  I won't go into detail, but for the next four months I was subjected to direct infused chemotherapy to my central nervous sytem, whole brain and full spinal radiation, steroids and left weaker than I had ever been in my life. Almost a year later, I'm still not back to my 'normal' yet, not even my 'new normal,' but I'll get there.