The theme of A Calendar to Live By 2022 is Perseverance. All 12 women who grace its pages have honest, inspiring stories of perseverance to share with readers -- as well as words of advice for other young women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Read on to get to know more about Ms. September 2022.
Ms. September 2009 | Diagnosed at 42 (2007)
When Terri was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2007 after a routine mammogram, her youngest daughter was 11 and her oldest was recently married. Terri was determined to keep going for the sake of her girls and to meet her future grandkids. She kept those goals in her mind through treatment and beyond. Mission accomplished! She is now semi-retired and loves having the kids and grandkids visit. Terri enjoys spending time with her husband, and she’s had a chance to slow down the pace of life, which she appreciates. Terri said her diagnosis was devastating at first, but “once I was enlightened with knowledge and support, I was just ready to get it started so then it would be over!” Her doctor told her the cancer diagnosis was a detour in her life and that it would soon be in her rearview mirror. She took that wisdom to heart. “I held on to that and persevered my way through.”
Another piece of advice she would share with someone newly diagnosed is, “This time is about you and your health. Everybody has a different story; yours will be yours and only yours!”
Terri has this advice for survivors: Stay positive! Surround yourself with happy people! This time is about you and your health. Everybody has a different story, yours will be yours and only yours!