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.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2012. I had ductal carcinoma in a couple of quadrants of my right breast. A month later, I had a bi-lateral mastectomy. I chose to have my left breast removed prophylatically. Exactly a month after that was my first round of chemo. I finished my sixth round in late April of 2013. In late May, I started my first of 28 trips to Urbana for radiation and boost and finished on July 5th. On August 19th, I had my first surgery for thyroid cancer, which showed up on a PET scan for breast cancer. I tell you all of this because I had zero symptoms for both cancers. I felt great, yet there was lymph node involvement for both. Be proactive with your mammograms. I only went for a mammogram because it was October and I wanted a free membership to Curves. Curves would wave the $100 fee to join if you brought proof of a mammogram. Curves saved my life. I was Stage 3 with 13 cancerous lymph nodes. I would hate to think about how advanced the cancer would have been for me to notice it.

I also want to encourage other women by saying I worked throughout all my treatments. I had a lot of support from my co-workers and I took time off to recover from surgeries but I was able to pull through with a lot of anti-nausea meds.

I am fortunate that I am HER negative and BRCA negative. I will be on Tamoxifen for 10 years.

To women who have made it through treatment, don’t be alarmed by the complex emotions that follow such a battle. It takes a toll on the body and mind. Many women have to go on antidepressants because of the after effects of breast cancer. It’s a tough, tough road, but with an amazing husband, family, friends and church, we made it through and I am so grateful to God.

I also belong to a private Facebook group of all breast cancer fighters and survivors. These ladies are my lifeline and the depth of friendship I’ve experienced truly is a beautiful thing. I was able to travel out to Phoenix in April to meet many of these amazing ladies.

Hang in there to those who are fighting the beast. To those who have just finished treatment, advocate for your follow-up needs. To those who have lost loved ones to breast cancer, my deepest heartfelt sympathies.