My daughter, Vanessa Baca, is without a doubt the strongest person I know.
She is always striving to do her best, whether it's excelling in the classroom, her career or in the many sports she plays. Vanessa loves all sports, particularly basketball. She always liked competition and gave it her all.
During her college years, she started boxing. She became passionate about it and began to fight competitively. In 2019 at age 31, Vanessa fought in the fundraiser Haymakers for Hope, which raises money for cancer. She won the fight. She actually fought for me as I was diagnosed at age 55 with breast cancer, Stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ.
In October 2022, Vanessa felt a lump in her breast. She thought maybe it had to do with her cycle, so she proceeded to wait a few weeks. Given my own history, I wanted her examined immediately. Fortunately, her physical was the following week. A mammogram was ordered. The radiologist saw a mass, and Vanessa was biopsied right then.
On Nov. 8, 2022, the diagnosis was Stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer. It was not in her lymph nodes.
Knowing I had breast cancer, I certainly was aware my daughter could possibly be diagnosed with it. Never did I think she would be diagnosed at age 34! Vanessa was a new mom, and her little girl was only 18 months old. Vanessa's BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene tests (as well as mine) were completely negative. There is no breast cancer on my mother's side, but there is on my father's side.
Vanessa was in disbelief.
"I am so healthy," she said.
She was told by her oncologist that she would need five months of grueling chemotherapy, then surgery. Now the chain of events began. In November, a port was placed in her chest for chemo. Shortly after, she went through the process of freezing her eggs. She had to inject herself with hormones to ripen the eggs. Once the eggs were ready, she had them retrieved.
During this time, I know inside she was sad and frustrated, but she only showed strength, poise and bravery. Vanessa's attitude, courage and perseverance were amazing.
Her first chemo began on Dec. 9, 2022. Working throughout her entire chemotherapy treatment was unbelievable. I know she said it helped her and it probably did, but it was a lot, considering what she was going through and the exhaustion she felt. Vanessa was truly in the "fight" of her life.
"I will beat this," she said. "I have to."
One of the hardest things for Vanessa was the loss of her hair during the chemo. Boy, could she wear a hat. She rocked many winter hats and baseball caps for months. They became part of her wardrobe, along with several chemo tops. The other difficult part of having chemo is the exhaustion she felt. She couldn't exercise due to the weakness and shortness of breath it caused. Never did she feel this physically weak. She would walk as much as she could, but sometimes she was just too tired.
Her wonderful husband, Eric, is extremely loving and supportive. His strength gave Vanessa strength, and her strength gave me strength! I knew every time Vanessa looked at her little girl, Clara, she would continue to gain strength and persevere.
Her final chemo treatment was April 13, 2023, and in May, she had her first surgery, a bilateral mastectomy with placement of expanders. After surgery, Vanessa was told she could not work for six weeks. She told the doctor she would be fine to go back after two weeks, but the doctor reiterated six weeks. In August, Vanessa underwent reconstructive surgery, which entailed removing the expanders and placing bilateral breast implants. She did take oral chemo for three months following surgery, until the end of November 2023.
This cancer treatment took away one year of her life. But I am thrilled to say Vanessa is doing great. The appointments are less but still there -- bloodwork drawn every six months and yearly visits to the surgeon and oncologist.
As a mom, it has been so difficult to watch my daughter go through something like this. While working at Massachusetts General Hospital, I was able to attend her many doctor's appointments and be with her for all her chemo treatments.
A friend of mine said to me, "Your daughter is so lucky to have you." My response was, "No, no. I am so lucky to have HER." She is a wonderful daughter and my best friend.
Time is precious. Life is precious.
As Vanessa says: "You know your body and if you think something is up, don't hesitate. Tell your doctor and be persistent. Do your self-exam and get your mammogram. Early detection is absolutely key."
Sheryl A. Razney lives in Peabody, where she raised her daughter. Vanessa Baca attended Bishop Fenwick High School and Bentley University and now lives in Ipswich with her husband and 3-year-old daughter.