PINKWarrior

The first time I was told I had breast cancer I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t accept the fact that this was happening to me. It was very intense and raw. Before I was diagnosed I felt like I was full of life, felt like I was full of life, married, had a child and my profession, everything was wonderful.

Then I was told I had cancer and I felt I couldn’t go on, but I did and I have survived cancer three times. It’s very hard for a woman to lose her breast because you don’t feel whole anymore.

But time passes, your body heals, your mind heals and you learn there is so much beauty out there than just your physical self. In time you will feel whole again, I did and still do.

“Reach out to other survivors, they will help you” – Aida Ortiz

CLOSE

I went to my annual checkup and my doctor told me she was feeling something that wasn’t there before. She immediately sent me to get a mammogram, sonogram and a biopsy. On the day I received my results, my children and I took the day off for the 3 o’clock call with the doctor.

When the doctor confirmed I had cancer everyone one was talking, but I couldn’t hear anyone, I was in another place. I then began following the process, had my surgery and did the treatments, which were really hard. The treatments are really devastating to the body.

During one of my treatments, the American Cancer Society® (ACS) came to me and asked me if I would like to talk to a “listener”. A few days later a lady called me and we began speaking about the process in my language. I am now a volunteer “listener” for ACS and help other women through this hard time.

“I wasn’t alone because I had my family & friends” – Carole Duverneau

CLOSE

When the doctor told me I had breast cancer, the first thought that rushed to my mind was ‘how is this possible’. My mother’s blood cancer had just relapsed and now she had a daughter with breast cancer. I am an only child and was basically her caregiver, so I knew I had to move forward.

I had been around cancer patients my whole life and had done cancer research. I was also a pharmaceutical sales rep, so I was lucky, because I knew I had resources and understood what was happening to me.

I know there is a lot of fear when you are diagnosed with cancer and you are not familiar with the disease. You have to get as much information as possible, move forward and put a plan together to beat it!

“My outlook on life changed, I now take that extra vacation” – Claudia Glass

CLOSE

When I was told I had breast cancer I was in denial. I told my doctor ‘thank you very much’ went to my car and broke down. I called my husband and he met me at the hospital because my doctor wanted me to see the surgeon the same day. The surgeon recommended that I do the surgery immediately.

I asked if I could have the surgery in April because I had some big projects for work. He said if I waited till April it could be at stage 4, so I said ‘okay, I am available when you’re available.’ The hardest part of this process was that I had no control.

Unfortunately, the cancer is in control. The doctors are in control, so I had to learn to let go, take care of myself and do what they told me to do. My life and family are more important than my job. If I take care of me, I can take care of others.

“If I take care of me, I can take care of others” – Kristine Ortega

CLOSE

I was alone in my house when I received a call from my gynecologist and she told me that it was positive. I didn’t understand. I asked my doctor, ‘do you mean I have breast cancer?’ She said yes and it is invasive.

Then I was told I had to get chemotherapy and I couldn’t believe it. The chemo process was hard, especially when I started losing my long beautiful hair. For me it was everything.

Now I keep my hair short for all the woman going through this process. I help them by shaving their heads and putting beautiful scarves to make them feel good. I learned it is possible to have short hair and feel good again.

“I keep my hair short to help the women going through treatment.” – Olga Arcila

CLOSE

I did not think anything of it at the beginning, until my biopsy when my doctor said it was suspicious. Two days later my doctor told me I had two types of cancers in my right breast. Then he told me he could not save my breasts. It is very difficult losing a part of your body.

In the beginning I did not know who to turn to and kept telling myself ‘why did I get this?’ You look at yourself in the mirror and say these are not mine. I liked mine they were wrinkled and droopy, but they were mine. It was a very difficult part of my life, but I kept telling myself I had to get over this. I did get through it because of my husband, whom is my rock, my family and fellow survivors like me.

I joined different survivor groups, Your Bosom Buddies and the Dragon Boat group, I don’t swim, but I am out on that boat once a week.

“The day you beat cancer is your new birthday” – Olga Hughes

CLOSE