My name is Macee Maddock. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in October 2020 at the age of 26 years old. I discovered my first tumor on September 12 on my own, and it was diagnosed at Stage 2 - Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: HER2-, PR-, Weakly ER + (only 10%). My second tumor was discovered by my general surgeon at my pre-op appointment for my planned lumpectomy and port placement. 

 

This second tumor was diagnosed at Stage 2b - Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Therefore, my lumpectomy was now needing to be at least a single mastectomy. With two tumors and one being TNBC (a more aggressive cancer), I began active treatment. 

 

My first round of treatment included immunotherapy and chemotherapy: Keytruda, Taxol, and Carboplatin. I was hospitalized for 4 days after chemo session #1. In the second round, I was only given Taxol, which put me into anaphylactic shock. Finally, the 3rd chemo session was a success with Abraxane. I completed 11 rounds of Abraxane and 4 rounds of Adriamycin/ cyclophosphamide.

 

After chemotherapy, I decided that I was going to undergo a double mastectomy instead of a single mastectomy. The surgery took place on June 3rd. On June 12th, I was deemed cancer free and was told I had a Pathological Complete Response. I will be on letrozole for the next 5 years. Breast Cancer will always be part of my life. I have the scars to remind me every day of the worst chapter of my life, but it was also the most inspiring chapter as well. 

 

If it wasn't for cancer, I would have not met this amazing community of cancer warriors. They provided me with the motivation that I needed to keep on fighting, even on my bad days. They have cheered me on, listened to my struggles, have been able to relate, and have continued to inspire me to live my best life.  I received a card that said: "Nobody fights alone" and that could not be any truer.