Care, Stories Everyone has a story. For me, there is a certain catharsis in speaking about it…in a way a sense of a burden being lifted. I have always been interested in the study of epidemiology as far as I can remember and even after college, I continued to focus my career on clinical research and public health. Strangely, I have always had an awareness of breast cancer, but I never thought that I could be one of its statistics. I have no history of breast cancer and practice an active, healthy lifestyle. In 2008, I felt chest pains and something unusual in my breast. I really had no clue what would happen and was terrified. Two weeks later I was diagnosed with Stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma and soon after had a skin sparing mastectomy with lymph nodes removed. I didn’t know that I would be able to endure all that chemotherapy, radiotherapy, adjuvant hormonal therapy, surgeries, and hospitalizations. All I can tell you is this — I am 42 years old today and have carried scars from my cancer inside and outside when I barely just turned 31 years old. I didn’t realize how closely connected my breasts, hair on my head, eyebrows, and eyelashes were to my sense of self and femininity until I was faced with losing them. Sometimes, I look at myself and wonder what my life would be like if I never had breast cancer. And you know what…I would not have changed anything. I am always learning about myself, my strength, and my resilience. I want you to know I kicked cancer and now work for a leading medical technology company focused on improving women’s health and being! << Previous Post Susan G. Komen Advocates Take... Komen Blog Read More Next Post >> Every Elected Official Should Support... Komen Blog Read More Related Stories Previous Next Komen Blog Jennifer and Angelo Merendino Used... Read More Komen Blog Komen’s 2021-2022 Advocacy Priorities Seek... Read More Komen Blog Tips for Living a Healthy... Read More Komen Blog Breast Cancer, No Longer Your... Read More Komen Blog When Pink is Just Another... Read More Komen Blog The Moment That Changed Everything Read More Komen Blog Experiencing Breast Cancer As a... Read More Komen Blog Social Justice Is An Issue... Read More Komen Blog Shaun Robinson Discusses How to... Read More Komen Blog What You Need to Know... Read More Komen Blog Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer... Read More Komen Blog Komen Scholar Joe Gray Brings... Read More Komen Blog The Right Dose Read More Amanda DeBard In Case You Missed It:... Read More Komen Blog Preventive Surgery for Women at... Read More Komen Blog Komen Urges Expansion of Family... Read More Komen Blog Komen’s 2021-2022 Advocacy Priorities Seek... Read More Komen Blog Tips for Living a Healthy... Read More Komen Blog Breast Cancer, No Longer Your... Read More Komen Blog When Pink is Just Another... Read More Komen Blog The Moment That Changed Everything Read More Komen Blog Experiencing Breast Cancer As a... Read More Komen Blog Jennifer and Angelo Merendino Used... Read More Komen Blog Social Justice Is An Issue... Read More Komen Blog Growing a Family Following Breast... Read More Komen Blog Coping with a Metastatic Breast... Read More Komen Blog Helping Warriors Move Read More Komen Blog Shaun Robinson Discusses How to... Read More Komen Blog Support Services Help Men Cope... Read More Komen Blog Things Breast Cancer Patients Should... Read More Komen Blog Patient Perspective: What Should You... Read More Komen Blog Power Lines, Pesticides and Breast... Read More Komen Blog Making Masks Brings Together Longtime... Read More JOIN US TODAY! JOIN