37, diagnosed at 34
No family history, no known genetic mutation
AJ found a lump on her breast that was sore. Because she and her husband were planning to add to their family of two young boys, she wanted it checked first. Her doctor wasn’t too worried but sent her for a mammogram, which led to further testing and a diagnosis of stage 1 triple negative breast cancer. Her lumpectomy did not achieve clear margins, so she opted for a bilateral mastectomy. After chemo, she carefully considered and decided against radiation. AJ’s kids are her life, and she was determined not to let cancer change that as she went through treatment. “I was at every performance, every game, every school meeting.” Her nurse navigator introduced her to H4TG; the two hit it off and are now co-facilitators of the Chester support system. Despite claiming to have no musical talent, AJ loves music, and always finds herself bobbing her head, toe-tapping, or dancing to songs. “H4TG is my perfect song. After a meeting I feel like I’m on top of the world! I want to spread the H4TG love and give back what it has given me.” AJ says the 1920s helped women discover their strength and independence to create the lives they wanted – just as cancer has done for her.