April, age 41, diagnosed at 37, No family history, No known genetic mutation.
April felt a lump on her breast but blew it off. Because the lump was still there six months later, she mentioned it at an unrelated medical appointment. Tests were immediately ordered, and despite assurances it was probably nothing, it was something - stage 2 breast cancer. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy and chemotherapy. On active duty with the Air Force, she was assigned a nurse case manager (Shawnna, Ms. February 2020), who was an immense help. When a year later Shawnna told April that she had breast cancer and would be going to the next H4TG support gathering too, April was floored! After leaving the military and moving to North Carolina, April was selected as a calendar model and was thrilled to see that her former nurse would be along for the adventure. April’s breast cancer journey has been difficult, but “each day I’m reminded how lucky I am to be given another day to reflect on it all.” April’s parents taught her to be a strong, independent woman who made her own way in the world. “My education and career paths helped make me the person I am today, and without the progressive ideals of the 1920s, I wouldn’t have had those opportunities."