Why I chose MD Anderson for my breast cancer treatment
When I was 10, one of my relatives came all the way from another state to get treated for breast cancer at MD Anderson. Another one got breast cancer treatment from a doctor near her home who works closely with MD Anderson faculty.
So, I knew exactly where to turn for help when I found out I had breast cancer last year. MD Anderson is just where you go when you have cancer. It’s the top cancer hospital in the country. And it’s...
Breast cancer survivor: Take your prescription medications
As a general rule, I don’t take medicine unless I absolutely have to. I’ve never been one to swallow an aspirin at the first sign of a fever...
Inflammatory breast cancer survivor finds hope in clinical trial
I’m the kind of person who follows my gut. So, when I looked up my symptoms online and thought I had inflammatory breast cancer, I kept pushing to get tested, even when my doctor told me no.
When I went to get fitted for bras in 2016, the woman who measured me pointed out that my left breast was “huge” compared to my right one. I figured everyone has a little asymmetry and brushed off her comment.
Several weeks later, I...
Sharing hope is the most important part of my job as a nurse navigator
When most people hear the word “cancer,” they usually react with fear or distress. That’s why I’m so glad to work as a nurse navigator at...
Breast cancer survivor: Watch for changes in your breasts
In late 2016, I was eating organic food, working out regularly and had never missed a mammogram. Yet, I still ended up with a breast cancer...
5 questions about bone health and cancer
Losing bone density is common as you age, when cells that help rebuild bones aren’t replaced as quickly. Because of this, your bones may become...
Breast cancer survivor: Why I volunteer at MD Anderson
I’d always heard that people should wait a year before volunteering at MD Anderson, so they could make sure they were “over it” after finishing...
How I dealt with permanent hair loss and other side effects
When I first lost my hair due to breast cancer treatment, I often heard people say, “Don’t worry. It’s only hair.” The implication was that...
How I found beauty during breast cancer treatment
My doctor didn’t notice anything unusual during my well-woman exam in February 2018. When I felt a lump in my breast two months later, I wasn...