Standing on Eternity Beach in St. Lucia, I held onto my father’s arm as the music began to play. The sound of the Caribbean waves served as a backdrop. Walking down the aisle, I saw Malachi at the altar, looking handsome. This moment marked the beginning of our story. We married on June 5, 2026, a day filled with joy. Yet, there was a persistent concern about the sharp electric shocks in my left breast.
After the ceremony, we danced beneath the moonlight, uniting our families. My father and I shared a dance to ‘Landslide’ by Fleetwood Mac, a song my mother loved. My wedding was on the anniversary of her passing from colorectal cancer. Dancing, my dad mentioned how much I remind him of her, and I felt her presence with us. I was full of excitement and a clear vision for the future, unaware of what was to come.
‘I Felt This Moveable But Solid Mass in My Left Breast’
To provide context, we return to March this year. Trying on a new bra, I discovered a moveable but solid mass in my left breast. It felt like a small rubber ball, hard, not squishy, like a cyst. My thoughts turned to the worst-case scenario: cancer. Researching symptoms, I found breast cancer tumors are usually immovable and irregular. Confusion set in.
I consulted my primary care physician on March 27, who didn’t find the lump concerning. Still worried, I requested a breast ultrasound the same day. My mom’s cancer was diagnosed late, fueling my urgency. Results were delayed, and three weeks later, I learned my 1.5-centimeter mass was scored a BI-RADS 3, likely benign. They recommended a six-month follow-up and referred me to a surgical center.
A month passed before my referral was processed. I informed the nurse about the electrical sensations in my breast and the lump’s growth. Again, I was advised to wait six months. Persistent, I pushed for a biopsy, leading to a referral at a distant breast imaging center. Amidst this, our wedding offered a temporary distraction. Two weeks post-wedding, I finally underwent the biopsy.
Neither Malachi nor I anticipated serious results; curiosity drove us to understand the mass and its rapid growth. During the ultrasound-guided biopsy, the mass had grown to 2.8 centimeters, doubling in three months. A few days later, on June 24, my doctor called.
They urged me to come in immediately, raising concerns about the mass. Assuming it needed quick removal, I was unprepared for the reality.
Shortly after our happiest day, I faced the worst. On June 24, I was diagnosed with triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma, one of the most aggressive breast cancer forms. Speechless, I left the clinic, beginning to grieve what I feared could be the end of my life.
Friends had warned me against online research, but I read that triple-negative breast cancer often leads to fatality. Recalling my mother’s painful battle made the news devastating. At 25, facing death wasn’t part of my plans. Battling aggressive cancer was terrifying, compounded by waiting to start treatment. I began the potent ‘Red Devil’ chemotherapy.
Enduring this regimen has been the toughest challenge. The week after each session brings severe side effects like nausea, tastelessness, brain fog, shortness of breath, anemia, and body aches. I’ve completed four rounds and will undergo a double mastectomy in January to remove breast tissue, followed by immunotherapy for six to 12 months.
Grateful for life-saving treatment, despite its intensity, I remain hopeful it leads to a future. Each day with Malachi as my husband and caregiver emphasizes the importance of a supportive partner. True to his vows, he’s stood by me through every step. His presence reinforces my choice in a life partner. He attends every appointment with me, offering unwavering support.
‘I Never Appreciated the Gift of Living’
The past four months taught me to self-advocate. You know your body best. Feeling insistent or pushy is better than neglecting health concerns. My experience reshaped my appreciation for life. Though I worry about the future, gratitude fills each day as I look forward to it.
Jaden Slaughter, 26, is based in Carlsbad, New Mexico, with her husband, Malachi Calderon. After a life-changing diagnosis, Jaden shares her journey on social media (@mothur on TikTok).