Breast Cancer Never Had a Chance: Journey of the Courtside Mom.

Tell the World Who You Are! My name is Barrissa Gardner, and I’m a Mom of two. 

How did you learn about your diagnoses?

I had just lost my Mother to breast Cancer in 2016, then my father in 2018......My Mom had first battled breast cancer twice in the 1980’s, she beat it but it returned almost 30 years later....after she passed I went to the doctor for a check up. My doctor order a mammogram..... and what did I do?.... let it sit on my desk for another year and half.....before I made an appointment.... it wasn’t until after I lost my father, that I finally went..... watching your parent sercumb to health issues, jolts you a little. 

I had a traditional mammogram, and the very next day my doctor called me and asked me to come back for a ultrasound. Three days after that, she called me back and said she’s saw something on my right breast and they would like to biopsy, it.... a week later, I got the call.... it was Cancer.  

What type of treatment did you receive?

I never felt a lump... in fact I was a stage 1 so my tumor was the size of a gum ball.... and located in the back of my breast.... but the biopsy reviled it was a an aggressive type of cancer and my Doctor said had I waited another 6 months or a year... things might have been different.... so because of my family history, both my mother and grandmother had breast cancer (both my mother and I were BRCA negative), and aggressiveness of the cancer, I decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction. July 20, 2018 I removed my breast, replaced them with tissue expanders which I wore for 5 months Nov. 20th, 2018, had my exchange to implant surgery. 

I was lucky to be entered into the “Althea Study” by my Plastic surgeon. This is a study

that will monitor 150,000 breast cancer patients for the next 10 years, starting from diagnosis to survivorship. Within this study, it will also looks at the option of larger implants. I’m one of those “test dummies” I was able to receive a 1135 cc silicone implant which fit my body style and were closer to my natural breasts F cup size. I’m glad to be apart to this, because it means I’m helping future cancer patients. I a lot of woman decide not to have the mastectomy for fear of how they will look....it’s a honest feeling. Hopefully this study will prove to others that you can still have a “nice size rack” and most of all decrease their risk of oCCURANCe increase their rate of survival. 

How is life now as a breast cancer survivor? Because I was stage 1 and had a double mastectomy, I was able to avoid chemotherapy and radiation. I will have to to take tamoxifen for the next four years, though. I can’t lie, sometimes I carry guilt, because I see a lot of my fellow “Breasties” struggling with chemo and radiation...although I know I’m blessed to avoid it, I still feel and pray for my Sisters going thru process. Thru social media, I’ve meet some strong ass woman that I look up too. 

What has breast cancer taught you about  yourself? Ironically, Breast Cancer has made me feel like a superhero. Not only physically, (wearing tissue expanders made me feel like the bionic woman) but I feel like it gavw me “heighten senses” meaning I look at things and people differently. I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore and can see thru peoples BS. It also taught me whom my real friends and family are. I don’t know why having cancer makes you reevaluate your circle, but it does. 

Advice or words of encouragement you would like to share with the breast cancer community. 

From Day 1, I remained positive. Even when I had times where I break down to cry or worried about my families future possibly without me, I cut those thoughts off. I moved my thoughts to living and life after....I continued with my everyday activity and kept it moving thru the pain, restlessness.... I didn’t let  my mind give in to the “what if’s”. Cancer doesn’t deserve any more of my energy.... I only let it take my breasts, but not my mind..... 

Most important thing I can share with anyone, make your appointments, whether it’s a mammogram or BRCA testing don’t put it off. Early detection saved me. Had I let that order sit on my desk any longer, I might have not be here to even write this. 

I started a initiative called @Lolalashinc. Named after my Mom, it’s a lash business that with every purchase made, I donate a pair to a fellow thriver.... I learned though this process, sometimes it’s the little things that can make you feel better.... while recovering from surgeries and on the days when Tamoxifen messes with me, I just get dressed, put on a face and throw on a pair of lashes.... I’m a strong believer that your mind can control your body.... sometimes looking good on the outside helps you feel good on the inside.