Jeanette Britt

My name is Jeanette Britt. I am a proud New Haven native and a loving auntie, sister, and friend. On October 2, 2015, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it changed my life forever. Even with the weight of my diagnosis, I have been blessed through Sisters’ Journey and I am honored to tell my story.

When I was diagnosed, I was a vibrant, independent lady, 61 years young and thriving on my own. I stayed on top of my annual mammograms, although the appointments were time consuming and inconvenient. On September 29, 2015, I went in for what I expected to be a routine checkup. But this time, my spirit sensed something felt different. My care team hurriedly scheduled a biopsy, leaving me anxious and uneasy.

My physician called me shortly after and asked me to come in, advising me to bring someone with me. I invited my neighbor and niece for support. We sat in the doctor’s office, not knowing what to expect. My heart sank as the doctor bombarded me with a flurry of medical terms I could not understand. She handed me a bundle of pamphlets, explaining my diagnosis. Honestly, I could not absorb a word. In the span of minutes, my world flipped upside down.

I started thinking about my father who had stomach cancer, to my paternal aunt who had breast cancer. Growing up, a cancer diagnosis was something to be ashamed of. Almost everyone I knew who had cancer had passed away. It was a scary death sentence, and at best, a grueling cross to bear. Thankfully, I remembered my one cousin who had cancer and lived. I clutched onto this hopeful reminder that surviving was possible. I bravely faced the road ahead, praying that God would allow me to be a testimony, just as she had been.

My care team moved aggressively and swiftly. On October 28, 2015, I underwent a right needle-localized partial mastectomy for a ductal intraepithelial neoplasia, measuring 1.2 cm. On January 8, 2016, I received my first whole-breast radiation. This was one of the hardest periods of my life. The radiation treatments caused nerve damage to my lungs, making it harder to breathe and move. Still reeling, I started Arimidex in February 2016, a hormone therapy specific for my type of cancer. I felt constant nausea and weakness, which made me wonder if I could persevere. I leaned on my sister during my recovery. It took six months after my surgery to feel like myself again. I slowly started adjusting to my new normal. Even simple activities ike lifting my arm or putting a shirt on became difficult. I knew that things would never feel the same, but I was determined to find peace in this new chapter.