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 One week
before her wedding, Shannon McAlister's life was hectic to say the
least. In the midst of finalizing wedding details she was trying to
keep up with her two jobs, schoolwork and her 4-year-old daughter,
Madyson. So when she noticed a slight lump in her right breast, she
thought as a young, healthy 25-year-old with no family history of
breast cancer, it was probably just a result of a recent auto
accident. So she dismissed it and dove right back into her busy
life.
As time passed, and the lump didn't, Shannon decided it was time to
see a doctor. After her visit, she received a letter in the mail
stating that she was in perfect health. With that burden lifted off
her chest, she became puzzled when her doctor called and asked her
to come in to discuss her results. They explained that the wrong
letter was sent out by mistake. A biopsy confirmed her worst fears
had come true, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2005.
After having the lump removed, she then asked for a double
mastectomy to reduce her risk of the disease spreading. She was met
with much resistance from her doctor to perform such a drastic
surgery on someone so young. After seeking a second and third
opinion, they all said: let's wait.
So wait she did. She waited through 18 weeks of chemo. She waited
through 33 radiation treatments. She waited through a diagnosis of
lymphodema in her right arm. She waited through the cancer spreading
to her left arm's lymph nodes. On that note, the day after her 27th
birthday, she got her wish, a double mastectomy.
Shannon was now in the clear, but not for long.
A mere three months after completing her first round of treatment,
the cancer was back. Feeling frustrated with her doctors, drained
from chemo and scared for her life, Shannon would continue on this
vicious cycle as her unresponsive tumors had a mind of their own. As
her life deteriorated in front of her eyes, including losing her
marriage, job and health insurance, Shannon stressed over the
physical, emotional and financial obstacles facing her and Madyson's
lives.
 Five long,
frustrating years later, things are finally starting to look up.
Shannon is currently trying a new approach with a rigorous regimen
of oral chemo. Luckily her tumors seem to be responding to this more
aggressive and physically challenging route. She is also hopeful to
participate in an experimental stem cell transplant in the coming
months.
Even with the daily struggles she has been enduring over the past
five years, Shannon can still see the positive experiences going
through such a traumatic experience has exposed herself and her
daughter to. She says, "I found out how much people love me…" Having
to lean on your friends for support and help is stressful, but you
realize who your true friends are, "they're just there to pick you
up."
The disease has also forced her to slow down, getting to spend more
time with Madyson, and giving her a chance to be more involved in
her life by coaching and volunteering. She has also become an
inspiration to other young survivors by forming the Pink Princesses
support group for young women with breast cancer in our area.
Shannon's struggle is far from over, but she continues to face each
day with humor, positivity and hope.
Please join Shannon and other survivors in our area to find a cure
for breast cancer, by participating in The Susan G. Komen Baton
Rouge Race for the Cure®, taking place on March 6, 2010. Up to 75%
of all proceeds stays right here in the Greater Baton Rouge area,
while the remaining funds go to national research and educational
efforts around the world. For more information please visit
www.komenbatonrouge.org.
The Pink Princesses meet every third Friday of the month at Baton
Rouge General Pennington Cancer's conference room. The group is
currently looking for a professional social worker for their monthly
meetings. For more information please visit the Pink Princesses page
on Facebook.
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