Get Up Swinging is my personal blog. I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer – specifically Stage 1, ER+, PR+, Her2-, BRCA-neg, 0/5 lymph nodes) – in September 2010 at the age of 30.
Get Up Swinging was born on September 25, 2010 on blogspot, and can be found here. Get Up Swinging 2.0 will be about advocacy, education and a call for research. Breast cancer is more than a pretty pink ribbon.
I underwent a lumpectomy, four and a half months of chemotherapy (Cytoxan and Abraxane) and then seven weeks of radiation. When my one-year checkup came back with new suspicious calcifications, after much discussion with my team of doctors, I opted to have a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.
My mother, Patricia (who preferred to be called Pat), was diagnosed with late stage breast cancer when she was 35 years old. In April 1987, at the age of 40, Pat was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and subsequently died six months later. She left behind three children – me and my two brothers, ranging in age between 7 and 12 years old.
In October 2018, I underwent updated genetic testing, where I learned that I have Cowden’s Syndrome – a mutation of the PTEN gene. Two years later, my oncologist told me that my cancer has recurred to my sternum. I am now stage 4, and I am living with metastatic breast cancer for the remainder of my life.
I live with my two rescue pups – Boomer and Mal.
The views and opinions expressed on Get Up Swinging reflect the opinion of Lara Huffman alone and are not indicative of the opinions of her employer.
Get Up Swinging 
I read your article “My Disease Isn’t a Cutesy Slogan” and it was AMAZING!! I had a bilateral mastectomy December 18th of last year. I freaking hate those stupid shirts. The decision to have my mastectomy was actually made last October. I had been dealing with all of that crap since I was 28. So after my 3rd abnormal lumpectomy it was recommended. Last year every time I saw one of those f**king shirts I wanted to set them on fire. I also had a major problem with the damn cupcakes. I was at the store with my husband and I saw a display table of breast cancer awareness cupcakes. I stopped and just looked at them. Of course my husband was looking at me like I was crazy. I told him I wanted to buy all of them. I wanted to take them all out to the parking lot and jump on them. Then there were the shirts next to them. I started crying at that point. I told him I wanted to set them all on fire. I was getting ready to loose my breast to save my life. There is no saving the ta-tas. Bubbly women with those shirts have no freaking clue. There’s pain,drains, meds, scars, implants and finally tattoos. So even if it’s just one or two shirts this year I’m having a bonfire. So if you live in NC or want to visit I’m making s’mores!
I have CS too! Can’t believe we haven’t crossed paths yet! The CS interwebs was really small, at least IMO back in 2011 when I was diagnosed. I started my blog the day after my brain tumor DX with LDD. Following you and will read up. Hope we can chat further!
Also, may I add you to my blogroll plz? ❤
J’ai une admiration sans borne pour les femmes de courage dont tu es
Merci. c’est très gentil à vous de dire.