I had a mammogram the following week, and based on the results, went in for an ultrasound as well. A biopsy performed just days later confirmed the worst. I had cancer! While I was lucky to have found it so early (it was only 9mm in diameter), it turned out to be a particularly aggressive type of cancer, and further surgery confirmed that it had already traveled to one of my lymph nodes.

It couldn't have come at a worse time (not that there is ever any good time for cancer to come). My husband and I had just celebrated our second wedding anniversary and purchased our first home. After meeting in Europe, we had a whirlwind romance, culminating in a decision to get married in London just four months later. Once the surgical results came in, our world was turned upside down. The only thing that mattered to us was researching my status and getting help.

I consulted with lots of oncologists and radiation oncologists who wanted me to start aggressive chemotherapy right away (at least within a four week window from the surgery). That didn't give me lots of time to get used to the idea, but when your life is hanging in the balance, you move as fast as you need to.

My Fertility Was Suddenly Compromised
One aspect of my experience was tremendously frightening. The doctors told me that at my age and with the aggressive chemotherapy I would need, my fertility would almost certainly be compromised. While my number one priority of course was to survive, my husband and I had decided that once we were firmly settled in the house for a while we would attempt to start a family (I have always wanted at least one child). Of course we knew we could adopt, but it was very disappointing to have our option of getting pregnant taken away so abruptly. During this period I focused most of my research on what if anything could be done to preserve my fertility.

I found out that because breast cancer statistically effects more post-menopausal women, most cancer experts are not familiar with the concerns of the pre-menopausal women. Top oncologists weren't able to discuss my fertility problems and OB/GYN's would talk a blue streak about fertility, but wouldn't comment on the cancer treatment's effect on my fertility. It was frustrating.

Luckily, I found the Community Breast Health Project in Palo Alto, which is a non-profit support group, staffed with volunteers, that is the resource on breast health issues, specifically breast cancer. The volunteers act as information specialists, assisting the public in research. They hooked me up with someone there who had dealt with breast cancer treatment and fertility just a year earlier and she told me about a study out of a medical center in Israel, where they focused on preserving a woman's fertility while she went through chemotherapy by shutting down the ovaries using a drug called Lupron. The theory is if the ovaries are shut down, while the chemotherapy drugs are killing off cancer cells, the drugs won't kill ovarian cells at the same time.

I immediately liked that idea, and spoke to one of the oncologists about it. At first he was not in favor of the idea, because Lupron is a powerful drug that would put me into menopause for the duration of the treatment. I told him I didn't care about that. Finally, after lots of discussion, the doctor agreed to work with the Lupron for the duration of the chemotherapy.

And so 1999 went by in a blur. I found the lump in February, had surgery in early March, chemotherapy from April though September (four rounds of AC, followed by four rounds of Taxol), then thirty-five daily radiation treatments from October through November. By Thanksgiving I was finished with treatment. My hair was even long enough that I didn't need to wear a wig for Christmas.

Beginning A New Cycle
Once the holidays were over, I started working on getting my cycle back so I could get pregnant. I was told over and over again that with my background and with the hormone levels I was being tested at, it was impossible for me to get pregnant. That didn't deter me at all. By the end of February I got my cycle back. In March my mother and I went to Jerusalem for a incredible spiritual pilgrimage and by the end of May, I was pregnant. None of the cynical doctors could believe it (of course I took great pleasure informing them).

Sheena Holt was born on February 13, 2001, after twenty hours of labor and a C-section. I didn't care how she came out as long as I ended up with a healthy, happy baby. I did. She was 8 pounds, 13 oz. and 21 inches long. As I write this she is almost nine months old and brings joy to my life every day.

Words can't describe how happy I've been over the past nine months. My family is thrilled, my husband estatic and my large, loving support system feels they contributed to ­ and have a part in in this wonderful event). As far as I'm concerned, they do.

I tell all my female friends and family to do self-exams and get annual mammograms. It's the only way to have a chance to beat breast cancer and join the ranks of so many women like myself who consider ourselves survivors.