I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2006, and I’m happy to declare I’m now cancer free! While no one wants to have cancer, I feel like I was chosen for this battle so that I could make more people aware of the often fatal disease. Through this journey, I’ve learned that I’m a very strong person, and I have wonderful family and friends. I’ve also really grown to embrace the phrase, “Live life to the fullest.” My breast cancer support group was one of the biggest helps for me. I encourage anyone diagnosed with breast cancer to reach out for support and to ask lots of questions. I’m an eight-year survivor and proud of it!

I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer initially in March 2011. I now have stage IV breast cancer, diagnosed in June 2013. Everything about my life has changed since I was diagnosed with cancer. I think about every decision I make more profoundly and the impact it will have on my family and me. Things I would have easily and rapidly done before are now considered much more in depth. Everything in my body has changed, fallen out, hurt and grown. You name it; I have experienced it. During this journey, I have learned my life is important, and it has meaning! I value everyone in my life. I am sure I took people for granted before my experience with cancer, but I don’t do that now. I can’t foresee the future, but I am here now. I know that I am still me, and I don’t let cancer consume my time or thoughts. I believe I still have work to do, and my strength comes from the Lord. He sustains me. I have been part of the walk since 2011, and I love it.  I love how we are all family – no strangers! We are part of something bigger than ourselves. The level of community support for the walk is amazing. The energy and atmosphere are so positive that you KNOW a cure is possible! PATH to the Cure, to me, means no one is alone. It so desperately helps with mammograms, which mean an earlier chance of catching the cancer that can be treated and someday completely cured! My advice for women or men that have been diagnosed is to stay positive. Don’t let fear overcome you. Ask questions, talk to a friend and pray for guidance. Thank God every day. Fun Quote: “No one walks alone” means that I am not alone in my battle. My husband, family, community, friends and doctors are all fighting with me. Even in my darkest hours, I am never alone.  

In March of 2013, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and started chemotherapy shortly after. I never thought breast cancer could happen to me. But it did, and now, I feel as though I can conquer anything. My family has been the number one support system for me, followed closely by the breast cancer support group and my friends. My family was always there for me when I wasn’t feeling my best, and friends were always concerned and checking on my progress. Participating in PATH to the Cure is a reminder that I am not alone. It’s a great organization that supports all of the resources I need. Through St. Mary’s radiation oncology, Infusion Center and breast cancer support group, I have built many new friendships with people I may have never had the opportunity to meet had it not been for my diagnosis, proving that something good always comes from something bad. Last year was the first time I participated in P2C. My family was all there supporting me, and I finished the walk – something I never thought I could do. It was an awesome experience! For those recently diagnosed, stay strong and keep your head up. It gets easier as you go. When I was first diagnosed, it felt like I was the only person that had breast cancer. Through this experience, I have learned how common breast cancer is. We are all there to help each other through the rough days. As of July 2014, I completed chemotherapy treatments, and I’m a better, more compassionate person and stronger than I ever thought possible.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on August 31, 2011. At the moment, my life was changed. Life became more real. Things that don’t really matter fade in importance; people, compassion, support and a fighter’s spirit become very important. I feel I am more compassionate now as a result of my experience. I can empathize with what others are going through. On the other hand, my tolerance for toxic relationships has decreased. I am a fighter. My motivation came from focusing on the important aspects of my life: my family, friends, communicating clearly and listening well. People matter. I learned that my immediate response to this threat to my life was to fight it with everything I could. I also learned that my dad’s advice as a child “to find something positive out of any negative experience,” was always spot-on. “The positive” from my cancer experience has been invaluable in helping me with life after cancer. My children have been so supportive and helpful. They were there through surgeries and helped me stay strong. They gave me a reason to fight as hard as possible. Friends and coworkers have supported me throughout my treatment, along with my siblings and extended family. Information and support from my medical team has also been invaluable. From little things like when to cut your hair off once you start losing it to chemo, or exactly what to expect after surgery, the infusion staff, breast center staff, surgeon and oncologist have been excellent at giving me emotional support and the information I need to fight and succeed. PATH to the Cure is a celebration of life, and it is hope for a cure. We celebrate people who have been affected in some capacity by breast cancer and cancer in general. There are people involved with P2C that you don’t know, but who will still support you through your experience. Getting the diagnosis is a scary thing, but it’s not the end of the world. Your attitude toward being a cancer patient will affect your experience. Try to take a look inward and understand what you are feeling about your diagnosis.

I have always been a very strong person, but when I was diagnosed in June 2008, I felt like I had been knocked down. For the first time in my life, I felt helpless and vulnerable – negative instead of positive. This was simply not me. After two lumpectomies and 35 radiation treatments, I have been cancer-free for six years. PATH to the Cure and my relationship with God transformed me from a victim to a survivor and a warrior. PATH to the Cure gave me back my strength and made me realize that there is something I can do for my family and friends, and there is an army out there ready to join me. I was the first in my family to have breast cancer, and my fears for my daughter, sister, mother and granddaughter became overwhelming. At the time I was diagnosed, my 12 year-old daughter Carly formed a team for a local Susan G. Komen event that initially consisted of eight of her 7th grade classmates.  They called themselves the “Pink Ribbon Racers.” I watched them make their breast cancer t-shirts one evening when it occurred to me that with the statistic being that one in eight women will experience breast cancer, one of these eight would likely face it. That was a terrifying and sobering thought.  They held car washes, bucket collections at stoplights, bake sales at school, and went door-to-door.  As the team grew with family and friends, including my mother and sister, we collected and donated over $5,000. Getting involved in breast cancer awareness organizations helped me realize I can’t cure cancer, but I CAN help raise funds for those who are working on a cure, and I CAN help save lives by preaching early detection. My journey has taught me to be proactive in my healthcare and follow my gut instincts. I discovered my lump two years prior to diagnosis, and repeatedly had mammograms and ultrasounds to monitor it.  As soon as a change in the cancer was noted, a biopsy was performed and the cancer was removed at an early stage.  Early detection is key to survival for any type of cancer. Fear of a mammogram or other diagnostic procedure has cost many lives—a  mammogram won’t kill you, but not having a mammogram just might. I believe that PATH to the Cure is making a difference locally and working to save lives in our own community – our lives and the lives of our daughters, mothers, sisters and friends. For those diagnosed, be proactive in your treatment and seek second opinions when you are doubtful. I urge the community to get involved in organizations such as PATH to the Cure because they can be very empowering in healing your mind and body. I have six friends who have had or are currently battling breast cancer, and that is simply too many. No matter what part of the journey you are on – newly diagnosed, going through treatment, coping with survival, or mourning a loss – you are not alone.