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 says
A 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.
Savannah/Facebook
Savannah Caldwell tries to stay positive amid treatment for stage 4 breast cancer
“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.
Savannah/Facebook
Savannah Caldwell shares her treatment journey after a shocking cancer diagnosis at age 25.
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 PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter 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
