Latest news with #SavannahCaldwell
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Mom, 25, Cries for Her Kids After Learning Breast Cancer Spread to Spine, Ribs, Lungs: ‘Hope I Get to See Them Grow Up'
NEED TO KNOW Savannah Caldwell says she was 'so tired all the time' — the first symptom that something was going on with the 25-year-old newlywed — before being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer The mom of four explains that it has spread throughout her body, and she is sharing her journey online as she undergoes brutal, aggressive treatment 'I want to fight and I want to live,' Caldwell saysA 25-year-old woman is facing the unthinkable after being diagnosed with breast cancer that's metastasized throughout her body. 'Fatigue was the main symptom' for newlywed Savannah Caldwell, who told WSAZ-TV, 'I'm 25, I shouldn't be feeling so tired all the time. And extreme pain in my bones [that was] unexplainable. There was no reason [for it].' Caldwell, who is raising four children with her husband Nick, found a lump on her chest and doctors ordered a biopsy this past spring. That's when she was diagnosed with cancer — stage 4 invasive ductal carcinoma. While it's the most common type of breast cancer, it generally affects women 55 and older, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 'I was in complete shock,' Caldwell said. 'I remember staring at the floor, not knowing what to think, not knowing what was next, that was a big worry. Worrying about my family, worrying about my life. I've grown up faster in a week than I have in 25 years.' She started chemotherapy immediately — and began documenting her treatment journey on a Facebook page, Savannah's Breast Cancer Battle, and TikTok, Savishay14, to raise awareness as more women under 40 are diagnosed with the disease. As she shared, 'the breast cancer has metastasized in my spine, ribs, lungs,' and doctors are testing to see if it's spread to her brain. Her first chemo treatment took nearly 12 hours, she shared, and according to a GoFundMe established by a close friend to help her pay for treatment, Caldwell — who had tested positive for the BRCA gene, which means you're more likely to develop breast or ovarian cancer — is expected to undergo radiation and immunotherapy as well. After her seventh chemotherapy treatment, Caldwell shared that she was recovering from a virus that caused her to become 'very ill and I dropped to 86 pounds … fatigue has set in a lot.' The virus was debilitating, a friend shared in a Facebook update after Caldwell's eighth round of chemotherapy. 'Now the neuropathy has set in — her fingers and toes are tingling and numb. On top of that, she's dealing with extreme hot flashes that come in waves and leave her soaked, exhausted, and unable to sleep.' The post continued: 'And as if that wasn't enough, she's still coughing up remnants of the infection she just battled. It's like her body just can't catch a break. But even with all of that… she's still here. Still fighting. Still holding on with everything she's got. And I couldn't be prouder of her.' 'For the most part, I'm optimistic. I want to fight and I want to live,' Caldwell told WSAZ. 'Being so positive isn't about living in denial — it's about being resilient, and I want to show that so much.' 'At night, especially when I'm with my kids,' she said. 'When we're cuddled up at night and I look over at my kids, I just hope I get to see them grow up.' 'I want my story to be a beautiful one no matter how long or short it is.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
I'm 25 and I have cancer that kills more than half of those who get it...there are two symptoms doctors dismissed
At just 25 years old, Savannah Caldwell had her whole life ahead of her. The Kentucky native was healthy, active, and cherished time with her friends and the four stepchildren she helped raise. But when she began experiencing persistent exhaustion and aching bones, she turned to doctors for answers. Physicians initially denied her tests saying she was 'too young for cancer', but after a lump was found on her chest they hey agreed to run further tests, and a biopsy was performed. Days later, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer that had spread to her ribs, spine, lungs, and possibly her skull. Doctors gave her just a 32 percent chance of surviving the next five years. She said: 'I was in complete shock. I remember staring at the floor not knowing what to think, not knowing what was next, that was a big worry. 'I've had to grow up faster in a week than I have in 25 years.' Caldwell is just one of the ever-increasing number of women diagnosed with breast cancer before they turn 50, which is now among the fastest growing cancers in the age group alongside colon cancer. rising by up to 1.85 percent per year, with an extra 4,000 women being diagnosed with the cancer annually in the US compared to a decade ago. While breast cancer in women in their 20s is rare, it's not unheard of. About 6.5 out of every 100,000 women in their 20s will receive a breast cancer diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society They remain puzzled by the surge, especially in healthy, young individuals, though some have pointed to possible environmental triggers or earlier onset of puberty as potential factors. For Caldwell, who is from Russell,the diagnosis came with devastating physical symptoms. Shortly after learning she had stage four breast cancer, the 25-year-old developed crippling back pain caused by a tumor pressing against her spine. The pain became so severe it made walking and even basic movement difficult. Doctors immediately began an aggressive treatment plan, starting with 12 rounds of chemotherapy. Caldwell has already completed nine and may also undergo immunotherapy and radiation depending on how her body responds. Revealing her story to local news station WSAZ, she said: 'At night, especially when with my kids, whenever we cuddle up... I look over... and I just hope I get to see them grow up. 'Things change minute-by-minute, but for the most part I am being very optimistic. I hope my will to fight can get me through. 'I want to fight, I want to live and I want my story to be a beautiful one no matter how long or short it is.' Caldwell said the chemotherapy has gone well so far, but that she has started to lose her hair and has been losing weight rapidly, now being down to 88lbs. In an update after her fourth round of chemotherapy in June, she said: 'Between the third and fourth chemo a lot has changed. 'My hair is thinning a lot, just yesterday I noticed it is coming out in clumps. I am still experiencing a lot of back pain, neck pain, [pain] in my ribs. 'Through the night, I wake up very nauseous and almost projectile vomiting and it is harder to eat.' She added: 'I look forward to getting this over with, and getting through.' After the ninth chemotherapy, she said she was 'still not sleeping much' but 'hanging in there'. Doctors have diagnosed her with invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer and behind about 80 percent of all cases. Her friends have started a fundraiser online to raise money to help cover bills and complications linked to the chemotherapy. On the page, they write: 'Savannah is not going to be able to work for a long time. Please help her fight this beast. 'She'd give the shirt off her back for any stranger she met. Let's come together and help her and her fiance!' Research published earlier this year that analyzed 2.1million cases of early-onset cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 found breast cancer, thyroid cancer and melanoma were the fastest rising among young women. Among young men, colon cancer, testicular cancer and melanoma were the most likely to be diagnosed before someone turned 50 years old. Doctors have also suggested that a trend toward having a first child at a later age could be a possible explanation for the rise in diagnoses.
