“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 until 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

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