Cancer free. Thank everyone that made it possible, my friends, my family, my job, my doctor’s nurses, stage 3 breast cancer rad.
After 23 years cancer free I felt a lump in my breast it was removed and it was non cancer. I get mammograms every year. I’ve had 27 tumors removed from my breast since I was 16 . I have been so blessed 🙏
I'm a 2-time breast cancer survivor. First diagnosis on my 41st birthday in 2002. Second diagnosis 1 day shy of 15 years later. Opted for bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Blessed to not have to undergo chemotherapy though I did have 33 rounds of radiation with the first diagnosis. My biggest blessing second to God's presence in my life is my family, especially my husband Jeff. He is the biggest advocate for my health and took such great care of me during my recovery from surgery. My good news is I'm still here!
On January 19, 2026, I had my first mammogram. Just one week later, on January 26, 2026, I heard the words no one ever wants to hear: breast cancer.
On February 16, 2026, I began chemotherapy. The months that followed brought exhaustion, pain, fear, hair loss, and challenges I never could have prepared for.
Then, in May 2026, my fight became even harder. From May 21 through May 27, I was hospitalized with a serious MRSA bloodstream infection, endocarditis, pneumonia, and septic pulmonary emboli. My port had to be removed, chemotherapy was interrupted, and for a while, simply making it through each day became the goal.
But I kept going.
On July 27, 2026, I had my PET scan. After everything my body had been through, I finally received the news I had been praying for: my scan showed no evidence of active cancer.
And now I am approaching another huge milestone.
On August 28, 2026, I will receive my final chemotherapy treatment. That will be the day I finally get to ring the bell and celebrate making it through this part of my journey.
My treatment is not completely over. Soon I will begin the next phase, including surgery and radiation. There is still more ahead of me, but I am entering it with a very different kind of hope than I had when this journey began.
From hearing “cancer” on January 26 to preparing to ring that bell on August 28, these months have changed my life. There were days when I honestly did not know how I would keep going, but somehow I did. One appointment, one treatment, and sometimes one hour at a time.
Cancer has changed me, but it has not taken away who I am. It has taught me how precious ordinary days really are, how deeply love matters, and just how much a person can endure when giving up is not an option.
January 26, 2026: the day I heard “cancer.”
July 27, 2026: the scan that brought me hope.
August 28, 2026: my final chemotherapy treatment and the day I ring that bell.
Then I move forward into surgery, radiation, healing, and whatever comes next.
This is my brighter day. 💗
Diagnosed May 1, had surgery, just finished radiation July 31. No chemo, thank God.
I went to the Breast Cancer Center at BGH in Buffalo, NY. I found out that I have calcifications and cysts. NO CANCER!!!