Hello, my name is Kommah Seray McDowell and I am a walking miracle.
In December of 2004 at the age of 28, I started experiencing strange things in my right breast. After visiting with my doctor in January 2005, I was advised that I had a cyst that was not cancerous. Over the next few weeks my breast started to grow in size, it also grew to be very painful and I found myself frequently in my doctor’s office questioning the pain, cyst, inverting nipple, heated breast, redness and discomfort that was becoming more profound. After four months of prescribed testing and reexamining of my right breast, again, I was reassured that I only had a cyst. However, I disagreed with my physician’s diagnosis and requested to have it removed as a precautionary measure to give me a peace of mind and reassurance for my family and future husband, as I became engaged on March 30, 2005.
On July 13, 2005,the surgeon opened my right breast and found three tumors and my lymph nodes under my right arm overflowing with cancer. On July 15 the cancer was confirmed by the lab and on July 25 I transferred my services to the City of Hope for treatment. During my consultation with my soon to be Surgeon and Oncologist, I was advised that I didn't just have breast cancer, I had Inflammatory Breast Cancer and my treatment would be very aggressive. I was also advised that I may not be able to conceive a child because of the aggressive chemotherapy. The initial plan was for me to have treatment biweekly for six consecutive months, which would affect my wedding date of October 29, 2005, because it was in the middle of my chemotherapy schedule. Fortunately, my Oncologist was sympathetic and allowed for an extra week before my scheduled treatment and I was able to get married, bald head and all.
After only four months of intensive chemotherapy my surgeon and oncologist agreed that the tumors had shrunk enough and could be removed. On December 27, 2005, I had a mastectomy where my right breast and most of my lymph nodes in my right underarm were removed. On January 3, 2006, I was advised that the chemotherapy was very effective and it did not appear that the cancer spread within my body. As a result of the mastectomy, I lost 90 percent mobility in my right arm, subsequently, in February 2006, I began physical therapy to regain movement. Simultaneously, I underwent radiation therapy as a precautionary measure in case the cancer metastasis.
Then, in July 2006, two lumps formed in my left breast, however not cancerous at the time. For months my surgeon watched these lumps and they were growing slowly. As an IBC patient, my surgeon and I agreed that a mastectomy of the left breast was necessary because the two lumps were very suspicious and the statistics for a reoccurrence were not in my favor. Thus, we arranged to have a skin spearing mastectomy and reconstructive surgery of both breast at the same time. On July 2, 2007, I underwent a 16 hour surgery where the tissue in my left breast was removed and both breast were reconstructed with the tissue, some muscles and blood vessels from my stomach. With few complications, I am proud to say that I have recovered from that surgery very well.
Then on December 17, 2007, I had what would be my last surgery I thought, the second phase of the reconstruction. It was at that point that my husband and I agreed enough is enough. I felt bless to have breast, no matter what they looked like.
Although this journey has been challenging along the way, I am proud to say that it was all worth it as I gave birth to our son, Christian McDowell, on March 28, 2009. Although the pregnancy was a wonderful experience, the birth was more complicated than expected. As a result of my hip to hip scar from my reconstruction, Christian was unable to move into the birthing canal, therefore, causing an emergency caesarian. Ultimately, he was healthy with a round head. Then, four days after having Christian I learned that I still had milk ducts/glands in my armpits (axillary), which prompt another surgery on July 10, 2009 to remove the unexpected breast tissue in my armpits. Prayerfully that was my last surgery related to breast cancer.
I thank God for the large prayer team I had working with me during this journey. I know the Lord has a plan for my life and this journey was just a way for me to show Him how much I trust Him with my life and how it is so important that we as Christians “trust in the Lord with all [our] heart[s] and lean not to [our] own understanding.” Prov. 3:5
Initially, KSIBCF was started to leave a legacy in my name, just in case. Fortunately, I am here to represent this organization and do my part in blessing other. Because of my experience with IBC and resources I have gained along the way, KSIBCF focuses on providing financial assistance to cancer patients, raising awareness of IBC, and educating the medical community about the symptoms of IBC to reduce misdiagnoses. Timing is critical for IBC victims and according to my research, funding to further the research on IBC is urgently needed. In addition, the proper treatment of IBC is critical to a person’s survival rate, however, often times IBC is mistaken for a rash and misdiagnosed.
The Kommah Seray Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that seeks to meet the challenges of IBC, while becoming a breath of fresh air for cancer patients. Our goal is to raise awareness of IBC, especially in minority communities, and collaborate with cancer research institutions for the advancement of IBC research. KSIBCF also provides financial assistance to individuals in active treatment for breast cancer and other forms of cancer, chemotherapy and/or radiation, when funding permits.
Good Day, my name is Kommah Seray McDowell and I am a walking miracle.
