Welcome to our “Pink Link Stories” blog series! These stories are from women who are a part of (or support) our virtual Pink Link community for breast cancer survivors (pinklink.org). Each quarter, we offer a new writing prompt — this quarter, we asked women to share their breast cancer story. We will publish a few of those entries* here (lightly edited for length and typos), and we’ll also be randomly selecting one entrant each quarter to receive a $50 gift card! If you want to keep up with future writing prompts, sign up for our newsletter here.*(Due to the number of entries, we cannot guarantee all entries will be posted on our blog and we reserve the right to post based on our discretion.)
I was diagnosed on December 11, 2009, with triple negative breast cancer. My mom always taught us to be strong, positive, to fight and to never give up hope. I stayed strong and positive from the beginning. I went to Boston where I stayed at the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge while having treatment and many surgeries. I was my own caregiver, which I do not recommend to anyone.
I am actually writing a book about my cancer journey, with me being my own caregiver. I had bilateral mastectomies and many months of chemo. I was so ill from the chemo that I was hospitalized all the time. One time my doctors thought I had a heart attack from the chemo. I also had bilateral DIEP Flap reconstruction. I was very lucky that I did not have to have radiation.
I have the best team and because of them I am here.
For me it is all about giving back and paying it forward. I volunteer five days a week in a cancer hospital as a hospital volunteer and I am also an American Cancer Society volunteer. I also host Look Good Feel Better, a wonderful program from the American Cancer Society. I really like Pink Link and all that it offers.
-Barbra T.