Dreams Delayed, Not Denied After Breast Cancer Diagnosis at 23 with Valentina Prince

<p>Twenty-three year old Valentina Prince was preparing to start veterinarian school in the fall when she experienced a sudden itch in her breast. Valentina thought nothing of it until she felt a new lump in her breast. She quickly made an appointment to have it looked at and suddenly found herself receiving a mammogram and being told this mass looks very abnormal and you need to schedule a biopsy as soon as possible. After difficulty finding a facility that could see her soon, her dad’s new job in Houston connected her to an oncologist that diagnosed her with stage three breast cancer.</p><p><br></p><p>Valentina quickly began treatment at MD Anderson as the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes. She received sixteen rounds of intensive chemotherapy, and jokingly referred to it as her “strawberry margarita” while trying to take a positive approach to treatment, determined to one day achieve her dream of becoming a veterinarian. In addition to chemotherapy, Valentina received immunotherapy, radiation, and had surgery as a part of her treatment plan. She shares honest details about the many complications she had throughout treatment including allergic reactions, burns from radiation, and lymphedema.</p><p><br></p><p>After completing her intensive and exhausting treatment, Valentina rang the bell and spoke about the tidal wave of emotions she felt. She provides insight into what she wished she knew before undergoing treatment and her advice and mindset to those who are just beginning their cancer battle. Today, Valentina is cancer free and in her second year of veterinarian school at Michigan State University, continuing her dream of becoming what she affectionately refers to as a ‘dogtor’. </p><p><br></p><p>Episode Resources:</p><p>Valentina’s Instagram: <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/dogtorprince/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3TrCFX1jGU4oRAyy0_kjIw" target="_blank"><u>https://www.instagram.com/dogtorprince/</u></a></p><p>Oklahoma Proton Center</p><p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.okcproton.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw12WzOIHUpeixzIg5mCg8ie" target="_blank"><u>https://www.okcproton.com/</u></a></p><p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1PPC4txjhrTY7qvefyVA2A" target="_blank"><u>https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/</u></a></p><p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0X3ySxgzjAggm6r4-gIkm7" target="_blank"><u>https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter</u></a></p><p>The Cancer Project Podcast</p><p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw34lWswG0I8kzVeeqpd6LBp" target="_blank"><u>https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject</u></a></p><p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id%3D61581844363126&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1X6X9zvCLf6wtWVIAJuqTa" target="_blank"><u>https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126</u></a></p><p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3Ac1ECCmIMQnG7gNrXGWPg" target="_blank"><u>https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy</u></a><br></p>