Shanel Bohnenstingl

As a busy working mother of 3 boys (and 3 "bonus" boys, my step-sons, who we have every other weekend), or as a naive young woman (you decide) I never gave self exams a second thought, it's only by pure luck or "fluke" that I found the mass in my breast. Friday, December 13, I grabbed an item from the top shelf and the motion my arm  made coming down swiped my breast just right and I felt a lump. Naturally concerned, I confided in colleagues and they encouraged me to get it checked out, I went to the clinic that day. My primary care physician referred me to the Edith Sanford Breast Clinic, but my appointment was a few weeks out. January 3, 2020 I had a mammogram and ultrasound, as my doctor explained to me that typically benign masses are circular in shape with defined edges and my mass was "oddly shaped" she preceded to tell me she would like a biopsy which was completed the same day.  Tuesday, January 7, my doctor called to tell me my mass was indeed malignant, and so at 32 years old, my life was about to drastically change and the first thing I could think of was how this might impact my boys, my husband, and my family. I will do what I have to do in order to be with them next year.  And so, my breast cancer journey begins...