My Breast Cancer Story

In April 2025, after my first screening mammogram following my 40th birthday, I received unexpected news: I had breast cancer. With no family history and the only risk factor being that I’ve never had children, it was certainly shocking and was wasn’t on my radar at all! I had been feeling my best ever after years of struggling with an inflammatory bowel disease flare, and had finally found a medication that worked (Rinvoq). I went into my 40th year feeling healthy and full of energy; ready for the best decade ever! So to receive this diagnosis felt like I was being pushed back underwater and drowning.

(This is the most accurate and entertaining read about what it’s like to receive a cancer diagnosis.)

The diagnosis was confirmed after four biopsies (one mammogram guided and 3 MRI guided). From all those biopsies they found just one 4.5 mm area in my left breast (far back and toward my armpit) that was cancerous. I had two types: DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) and IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma), and it was triple positive, meaning the cancer responded to estrogen, progesterone, and HER2. (You can read more about triple positive breast cancer here.) While considered aggressive, this form of breast cancer is highly treatable thanks to modern medicines/research just within the past 30 years, and my prognosis is hopeful: stage 1a, with a 98% cure rate at nine years post-diagnosis. However, I plan to live longer than that! 😉

—

Surgery and Recovery

Now that I’m part way through treatment, I can honestly say that the worst part of the whole journey so far for me was the first few weeks to months of waiting. Waiting for the biopsy appointment, waiting for the biopsy results, waiting and rescheduling multiple MRI guided biopsies after the first one, waiting for those results, waiting for surgery that got pushed back multiple times, waiting for the final pathology report from surgery…then FINALLY getting all the results and staging so we could lay out a plan. I’m such a planner, so not knowing what the rest of the year would look like for me was the hardest part!

Finally, on July 1st, I underwent a lumpectomy to remove the cancerous tissue, along with a lymph node biopsy. A chemotherapy port was placed in my right chest to prepare for chemotherapy and other IV treatments. Thankfully, pathology confirmed clear margins (meaning they got all the cancer out) and no lymph node involvement, which meant I could take the “chemo light” route and gave me an official stage 1 diagnosis. (But is there really any kind of chemo that’s “light”??!) Recovery from surgery was a little challenging but manageable (mostly the port was a struggle for me, but the lumpectomy was no big deal), and having friends and family check in with texts, calls, and fun visits made a huge difference.

—

Chemotherapy

Chemo began in late July, with IV medications Taxol (once a week for 12 weeks) and Herceptin (once every 3 weeks for a year). My chemo teaching appointment covered all the potential side effects: nausea, fatigue, hair loss, neuropathy, and more. I was a bit nervous and scared going into it, not knowing which side effects I might have, but having my sister there for the first chemo session was a good distraction (she flew out from Indiana). The first day was about 5 hours long, but the subsequent infusion days were only about 2 hours long. I prepared with some fun wigs, head scarves, colorful cold gloves and boots to prevent peripheral neuropathy, and a supportive crew of friends and family to accompany me to infusions.

—

—

Early on, I experienced changes in taste, “chemo brain,” and a ton scalp discomfort. Basically my whole head was covered in pustules (acne) and it was so bad that it hurt to move my head. My cervical lymph nodes were super swollen as well! That’s a side effect that I didn’t expect at all!

After the second week I developed significant neuropathy to where I had weakness in my legs and found it hard to walk and feel my extremities, so my doctors gave me 2 weeks off of chemo while I recovered, and they switched me to Abraxane, a similar chemotherapy drug with fewer nerve side effects. It turned out to be a better drug overall because there’s less risk of adverse reactions and I didn’t need to take pre-medications, which included steroids and antihistamines (yuck). It’s just a LOT more expensive (we’re talking about $10,000 compared to $200), so insurance companies require that you “fail” the first drug (Taxol) before they give you Abraxane. 🙄

Hair loss was gradual at first, but eventually I got so frustrated with having to baby my hair with it constantly falling out everywhere that I decided to shave my head (well, my husband Brandon did it). Plus that allowed me to put antibiotic lotion on my head to help with the insane amount of acne there. There was really no other way to do it! Turns out I actually like the shaved look and started to have fun with it! Below you can check out a time lapse video of my husband shaving my head.

Also make sure to check out some of my chemotherapy and surgery must-haves on this blog post, including my favorite IV/port friendly hoodie, post-surgery bras, meal delivery service, and lots more!

—

—

Staying Grounded: Humor, Creativity, and Support

Throughout chemotherapy, I tried to focus simply joys and taking care of myself, rather than framing the experience as a “fight.” I kept up with exercise like it was my job! Small distractions like hand embroidery, photography, watercolor painting, colorful outfits, and outings with friends kept me grounded in the simple joys of life. I also joined a few different groups for women under 45 with breast cancer, which helped a lot with inside advice and support from people who’ve been there done that, so to speak.

I also learned that two things can be true at once: I can hate what I have to go through, but can have a little fun in the process. So I used the weekly chemotherapy sessions as an excuse to dress in fun colors and try out my wigs (see some of my favorites below)!

—

—

Here are a few other things that I noticed can be true at the same time:

💛 I can be thankful and angry
💛 Anxious and brave
💛 Joyful and sad
💛 Strong and independent and still accept help from others

I had my last chemotherapy infusion on October 27th and wore my pink wig with pink disco sunglasses to celebrate! Here are some photos of me from that day, along with a video of me ringing the bell to signify the end of chemotherapy!

—

—

I also celebrated multiple stages of this journey by getting in front of the camera. I did a photoshoot with Bae by Cari ahead of surgery (the first 2 photos below), and one with Ella Sophie (the last 2 photos below) in the middle of chemotherapy. It was exciting and therapeutic. Highly recommend!

—

—

Looking Ahead: Radiation, Hormone Therapy, and Beyond

Following chemo, I’m preparing for 15 rounds of whole-breast radiation, beginning in December after a short break. (They like you to recover from chemo first.) Fatigue and skin issues are the most likely side effects of radiation.

Herceptin infusions will continue once every three weeks through the summer of 2026, and hormone-blocking medications will last for 5-10 years to prevent recurrence. I’ll also continue with physical therapy for mild lymphedema, and have echocardiograms and other testing to make sure I’m not having any adverse effects from the Herceptin.

While there are more treatments ahead, I feel hopeful and deeply thankful for my community. 🫶🏻 I’m also thankful that I’ve been able to continue with photography and my client work throughout this year. It’s bringing me joy and giving me purpose! So don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re looking for a colorful and fun photographer!

—

Reflections and Lessons from My Journey

This journey has taught me that breast cancer isn’t about a fight or battle — it’s about navigating life’s challenges with humor, grace, and a whopping dose of community. As the saying goes, life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.

Also, early detection and research are incredibly important! GO GET YOUR MAMMOGRAM if you haven’t yet or if you’re overdue. Or really, if you just want to check. GO DO IT NOW! Please and thank you 🤗 If I hadn’t gotten my mammogram right when it was due, it might have been a lot harder to treat my aggressive form of cancer, and it may have already spread to other parts of my body.

To anyone going through a similar path: your experience is valid, your feelings are real, and moments of joy can coexist with the challenges. Stay open to support, find ways to ground yourself, and allow the little celebrations along the way to carry you forward.

If this resonated with you, or if you’re looking for support on your own journey, feel free to reach out to me at Sarah@SarahEichstedtPhotography.com. Also make sure to check out this blog post with all my breast cancer and chemo must-haves (including local support groups and other resources)! Feel free to share it with a friend or family member who might be going through something similar. 💛