At first, it seemed like a dream. I felt, "this can’t be happening to me."  The treatment for Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (which means that the cancer had begun to spread from the ducts to the surrounding tissue) was vigorous chemotherapy and radiation. My husband, Roger, was there with me every step of the way, holding my hand through chemo, helping around the house, and just being my rock.  My entire family was there for me, standing by me and loving me. I think one of the things that kept me strong and gave me courage, not letting the cancer and treatment get the best of me, were my daughter and granddaughter.  They were my girls and I couldn’t leave them. I had to be there for them. They gave me hope when I thought the worst or when I felt I couldn’t fight anymore…just looking at them, holding them and loving them.

Now that I am a 3 year survivor I look back and see how the love of my family was so important to my recovery and sanity. I will always cherish that. 

I participate in the Race for the Cure as a survivor, standing with all the women that fight the battle with courage and knowing they are all a part of me now.  I was interviewed at the 2006 Race by local TV Channel 5 which aired that same night. I was honored to have the chance to reach out to others and to tell women to have their mammograms.   Everyday I speak with co-workers and family stressing to them how important a mammogram is and that no one is immune to this disease.

Being a survivor I know just how precious life, family, and friends are to me.  I have found a new strength and with this strength and my family bonds, I can face anything that the world can throw at me.