During the month of October we are sharing stories from women whose lives and experiences have been shaped by a breast cancer diagnosis. We hope these stories will help provide comfort and courage to others whose lives have been touched by cancer.

It was cold and rainy that March day when I was told I had Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer.

I had always had it in the back of my mind, as I had lost my grandmother to breast cancer. I started my mammograms early, at age 30. I had never missed a one – 18 years of mammograms. I had some call-backs, some scares, but this one was different. I was lucky to have my mother and husband by my side that day, and everyday forward. Later we found out that I was hormone positive and HER2 positive. That requires a year of chemotherapy and 10 years of tamoxifen. I continue my fight everyday.

I love and admire the nurses who care for me, the doctors who fight for me, and the wonderful friends I have met. Always do a monthly exam and always have your mammograms, early detection DOES save lives