Dr. Alexea's Story
- Angela Inspires
- Sep 3, 2024
- 4 min read
Tell the world who you are!
My name is Alexea Gaffney but on social media and since very publicly sharing my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment journey, I have become better known as “Dr. Alexea”. I am a 37 year old mother, Triple Board Certified Internist, Pediatrician and Infectious Disease physician, speaker, author and coach.
How did you learn about your diagnosis?
I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of the Right breast on April 3rd 2018. My Breast Cancer diagnosis was far from typical and the search and concerns for development of my breast cancer began 2+ years prior to my diagnosis. I actually found a lump in my left breast at 35 years of age that prompted a work up which included a mammogram and breast ultrasound.
What type of treatment did you receive?
The findings were concerning enough to warrant immediate biopsy. The results led my breast surgeon to perform a lumpectomy and the 3 types of abnormal cells would inform my breast surgeon and my oncologist that I was at high risk for breast cancer. This led to two years of quarterly breast cancer screenings with alternating mammograms with ultrasounds and breast MRIs. Over this time I had multiple biopsies, lumpectomies and cancer scares- you know, scared that a biopsy would reveal cancer. I had gotten so used to the exam, image, biopsy wait routine that when I first got called back for abnormal MRI results, I figured that they’d just find more of the same precancerous cells. I knew when it was time to have my MRI guided biopsy that this time was different because I could see my cancer on the imaging up on the screen across the room. This was a mass, a tumor, not the vague schmutz that could only be picked up by the trained eye that I had before. But it had gone undetected by the mammogram and breast ultrasounds that I had before. After the agony of the procedure, I waited 5 days for the call. I knew but all the while I hoped, hoped that they would tell me something other than what I was expecting.
My breast cancer treatment consisted of bilateral mastectomies with immediate reconstruction with placement of tissue expanders, chemotherapy with 4 cycles of AC (Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide) and 4 cycles of ddT (dose dense Taxol). My course of chemo was extended because my white blood cell count was at times too low to safely receive a dose. In the beginning I would cry because I just wanted to hurry up and be done with treatment and rid my body of this awful disease but I learned to make lemonade from these lemons and would instead enjoy a day at the beach with my daughter or family or celebrate no chemo and no side effects with a large meal with my bestie. After completing Chemotherapy on September 12th 2018, I began 25 doses of X radiation therapy which I completed on November 15th. I am now on Hormone suppression therapy with Zoladex and Letrozole. That Zoladex needle is huge!!
What has breast cancer taught you about yourself?
Having breast cancer has taught me that even I need help and it’s ok to ask for it and accept it. It has taught me to say YES and it
has been a humbling reminder of my own strength and resilience. Cancer has taught me that I cannot control everything and it is ok to allow others to see and experience my humanity- something a career in medicine does not allow you to do. It has also taught me to push my limits and take chances- especially when they are in the name of fun with my daughter.
How is life now as a breast cancer survivor?
I am so fresh out of active breast cancer treatment that I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I survived it. Living in a constant state of fatigue and dealing with long term side effects like chemobrain, Low blood cell counts and neuropathy have been challenging but manageable. Their nuisance appearance pales in comparison to the possibility of having metastatic disease and dying from breast cancer or complications of the treatment so I consider them fair and reasonable but unfortunate casualties of the war.
What advice or words of encouragement you would like to share with the breast cancer community.
I would encourage any woman diagnosed with breast cancer, regardless of the stage or the prognosis to live the most extraordinary life they can moving forward. Do Not give in to this disease. Show up as your best self in any and every way that you can. Be brave, strong and be Breast Cancer Beautiful!!
How can we connect with you?
*My own journey with Breast Cancer has been shared via social media on Instagram,
*Facebook and Twitter @DrAlexea www.instragram.com/DrAlexea Facebook
*www.facebook.com/DrAlexea Twitter:www.twitter.com/DrAlexea
I have a private Facebook group called Breast Cancer Beautiful https://www.facebook.com/groups/579088445860142/ which I started after having some difficulty connecting with other women with breast cancer early in my diagnosis. The group is for woman with diagnosis of breast and or ovarian cancer or those who are known to be at risk for these conditions due to family history or genetic predisposition as I am a PAL B2 mutant.
Over the course of my treatment, I shared my journey in “As TheWind Blows, Volume 2” which was coauthored along with 6 other women who have overcome extraordinary circumstances. The book can be purchased for $19.99 plus $3.95 Shipping at http://bit.ly/DrAlexeaATWBVol2 .
Look out for the launch of DrAlexea.com in early 2019.
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