Staci Franklin’s journey with breast cancer began February 14, 2009 – a little more than four months past her 38th birthday. It was while treating herself to a special Valentine’s spa day that she discovered a small mass in her left breast. Being careful not to panic, Staci decided that she would take a few weeks to monitor it and if it hadn’t gone away, she’d make an appointment with the doctor.

 

By mid-March, the mass had not left, and she proceeded to make an appointment with her gynecologist. After examining the mass, the doctor recommended a series of mammograms followed by several biopsies. It wasn’t until May 15, 2009 that a final diagnosis was rendered – it was indeed breast cancer.

 

Breaking the news to her family, particularly her mother – whose mother had died of breast cancer almost 30 years earlier, proved to be the hardest. However, once over the initial shock, all of her family and friends pledged their support for whatever she needed in the coming months. On May 20, 2009, Staci underwent surgery to remove the mass and lymph nodes. The cancer was Stage 1 and it was diagnosed as “Triple Negative”, which tends to be more aggressive than other types breast cancers.

 

After recovering a few weeks from the surgery, Staci met with her oncologist to review the course of treatment. It was recommended that she have four cycles of chemotherapy – one every three weeks, and 6 weeks of daily radiation treatment.

 

Although she was in a hurry to get the treatment underway, Staci was very concerned about how the treatment would impact her ability to have children in the future. Her oncologist recommended that she see a fertility specialist prior to starting her treatments. Staci took that advice and immediately began the process to harvest eggs. She was successful in producing eggs that have been preserved for future use.

 

On July 30, 2009 a little more than two months from when she had the initial lumpectomy, Staci started chemotherapy treatment that lasted four months. Her last chemo treatment was October 1, 2009. Afterwards, she immediately began preparation for radiation treatment which ended December 21, 2009.

 

Staci always says that 2009 was a year filled with challenges, but it also made her stronger. Since that time, her health is in good order, and to look at her now you’d never know that just two years ago she went through such an ordeal. Although she’s come through this, she knows there are other women who are still battling their breast cancer diagnosis, and that’s why A Pink Affair is so important to her. It’s her mission now to make sure women are aware of preventive measures, but also know that a breast cancer diagnosis does not have to be the end of the story – she’s a living witness to that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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