At the age of 45, I am a two time breast cancer survivor.  In September of 1994, during a routine check up, the doctor found a lump the size of a pea in my left breast.  A lumpectomy was done and while there was no cancer in the lump, there were cancer cells in the… Continue Reading »

Breast cancer helped me make a new best friend….me! It was the most inspiring journey I have been on. It was scary but inspiring!  It humbled me and made me so proud at the same time. I feel strong and sexy and the most beautiful I have ever felt in my life.

When I discovered my fairly large breast mass, that seemed to have appeared overnight, I immediately knew from its characteristics that the diagnosis probably wouldn’t be good. During those first several weeks I was overwhelmed with the feelings we all seem to share; shock, disbelief, fear of death, dread and sadness. I coped with these… Continue Reading »

In February of the year of my 50th birthday, I found a lump.  Having no family history of cancer, I was not overly concerned.  I contacted my doctor and was told to come in for a mammogram.  I had a history of annual mammograms, as I know their importance.  The mammogram showed something unusual, so… Continue Reading »

I always knew it would happen, but I didn’t know when.  Both my maternal grandmother and my mother fell victim to breast cancer.  I had been having annual mammograms since age thirty-one, the year my mother was diagnosed.  A few ultrasounds and benign biopsies kept me hopeful, but before Christmas 2002, at age 46, my… Continue Reading »

I have found it important to keep a very positive attitude throughout the whole process. I give praise to my wonderful surgeons and staff.  The reconstruction was a long recovery, but well worth it in the end.  My grandmother and my mom are breast cancer survivors and they didn’t have a choice of the reconstruction. … Continue Reading »

DCIS – what a stupid cancer.  Supposedly stage 0 or stage 1.  I liked the idea of let’s wait and see what would happen.  Three doctors thought I was crazy, and suggested a mastectomy.  I thought they were crazy. The 4th doctor I visited was my plastic surgeon.  She listened to me, and very calmly… Continue Reading »

Happy 50th birthday to me!  I received my cancer diagnosis one week before that greatly anticipated date.  Not exactly the present I had expected.  After the initial shock wore off, I began to prepare for the inevitable loss of my hair.  Imagine my shock when I was told that my cancer was entirely curable, but… Continue Reading »

My journey began July 2015.  I had made lifestyle changes at the beginning of the year, with a healthier diet and daily exercise resulting in a 30 pound weight loss.  I was thrilled with my progress until one day, kind of out of nowhere, my breasts went way down south.  I decided I needed a… Continue Reading »

Dr. Alexander, When I was in the office on Wednesday, I made a comment about cancer being good for me. You asked me to write something for you: Cancer has been good for me. I have come to embrace a version of myself I never would have considered. Who knew my best look would come… Continue Reading »