INSPIRATION
Jamie
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in Oct 2015 at the age of 31. My husband Brent and I have two fantastic daughters, Emmaline (3) and Mackenzie (5). My cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 2B, ER/PR+, HER2-. After my diagnosis I learned that I am BRCA2 positive, meaning I carry a genetic mutation that increases the likelihood of developing certain cancers. Since October, I have undergone a bilateral mastectomy and lymph node dissection, 5 months of chemotherapy, and 6 weeks of daily radiation. I receive ongoing hormone suppression therapy and physical therapy. Through this journey, I have found strength in my network of family, friends and our awesome God. Isaiah 41:10 has been an uplifting reminder that, through all of the ups and downs, no matter what, God's got it!
Angie
At the age of 43 I felt perfectly healthy following a balanced diet and working out 5 days per week. My husband David and I have been together for 18 years and I am the proud mother of a daughter, Annia (15) and son, Adrian (14) and the stepmom to two amazing daughters, Ashley (26) and Alyssa (22). In November 2015, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer, ER+/PR+/HER2-. Fear struck immediately when I recently discovered that my paternal grandfather had passed away from breast cancer in 1978 and in 2014, my brother had been diagnosed with a pre-cancerous mass. I spent the holidays going through a variety of tests in preparation for treatment. During this time, I learned that I am BRCA2 positive, which means I carry a genetic mutation that increases the chances of developing certain cancers. Since January 2016, I have undergone a bilateral mastectomy and lymph node dissection, 4 months of chemotherapy, 30 sessions of daily radiation, and a total hysterectomy with oophorectomy (removal of ovaries). I have recently started taking Letrozole, which blocks the production of estrogen and helps block tumor growth. I will also start an injection called (Denosumab) which is used to prevent problems caused by cancer bone metastases. Over the past few months, I have experienced optimism, sadness, anger and fear, but most importantly HOPE. I am a new version of myself. God never abandons us.
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
SUZANNE
Malignant tumor. Suzanne . . . you have breast cancer. I had walked this road before in 2010 with my mother when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Mom made it. She's a survivor. Now it's my turn. My husband, Todd and I have been married for 21 years. We have a son, Jack (11). These two have been rock solid through my cancer journey. In Oct 2016, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 2A, HER2+/ER-/PR- at age 45. I have undergone a lymph node dissection, genetic testing, 4 months of chemo, bi-lateral mastectomy, 28 sessions of daily radiation and continue with IV Herceptin targeted treatment every three weeks through Nov 2017. Testing revealed that neither my mother or I carry a genetic mutation. Shortly before my diagnosis, God showed me a verse three separate times in one week, Ephesians 3:17-18 "I pray you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love." I prayed God would show me how much He loved me to this extent and He has used cancer to accomplish this in a big way.