Cancer is in my genes - literally and figuratively. When I was in college both my paternal aunt and my paternal grandmother passed away - 3 years apart, both in February, they both had breast cancer, as well as other health complications.
Some mornings I wake up thinking or maybe its me pretending to be just a normal person, but then I put my fingers through my hair and it all flashes back like a bad nightmare. I remember that the reason I have little hair is because I recently had to fight for my life and the fight is something that I’ll always have to do.
Today marks a significant milestone in my journey – it's been 8 years since my mastectomy, a day etched into my memory with a mix of emotions. As the Founder of BRCASTRONG, I find strength in sharing my story, hoping it inspires others facing similar challenges.
In 2015, two weeks after undergoing a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy, I founded BRCAStrong. My daughter, Gabriela, who was just seven years old at the time, lovingly compared me to a butterfly, symbolizing the different phases of life I was navigating. Her comparison resonated deeply, and it became the inspiration for our organization’s mission of transformation and resilience.
Cancer is in my genes – literally and figuratively
Cancer is in my genes – literally and figuratively. When I was in college both my paternal aunt and my paternal grandmother passed away – 3 years apart, both in February, they both had breast cancer, as well as other health complications.
My Diagnosis of breast cancer and testing positive for BRCA 1 with no family history.
Some mornings I wake up thinking or maybe its me pretending to be just a normal person, but then I put my fingers through my hair and it all flashes back like a bad nightmare. I remember that the reason I have little hair is because I recently had to fight for my life and the fight is something that I’ll always have to do.
Embracing Resilience: 8 Years of Mastectomyversary with BRCASTRONG
Today marks a significant milestone in my journey – it’s been 8 years since my mastectomy, a day etched into my memory with a mix of emotions. As the Founder of BRCASTRONG, I find strength in sharing my story, hoping it inspires others facing similar challenges.
Unveiling Strength: Navigating BRCA1, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and Ovarian Cancer – A Journey of Resilience from 28 to 37
My name is Kelly Stars…a wife, mom of a two year old and a pediatric nurse practitioner. I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer/BRCA 1 Positive in 2014 when I was 28 years old. I lost my mother to breast cancer when I was 14—she was diagnosed at 36 and passed away at 41 years old. At that time, we had no knowledge about the BRCA gene as there was no other family history. I found my lump on my own after having just had an ultrasound and MRI 6 months prior.
Cancer is in my genes – literally and figuratively
Cancer is in my genes – literally and figuratively. When I was in college both my paternal aunt and my paternal grandmother passed away – 3 years apart, both in February, they both had breast cancer, as well as other health complications.
My Diagnosis of breast cancer and testing positive for BRCA 1 with no family history.
Some mornings I wake up thinking or maybe its me pretending to be just a normal person, but then I put my fingers through my hair and it all flashes back like a bad nightmare. I remember that the reason I have little hair is because I recently had to fight for my life and the fight is something that I’ll always have to do.
Embracing Resilience: 8 Years of Mastectomyversary with BRCASTRONG
Today marks a significant milestone in my journey – it’s been 8 years since my mastectomy, a day etched into my memory with a mix of emotions. As the Founder of BRCASTRONG, I find strength in sharing my story, hoping it inspires others facing similar challenges.
Embracing Resilience: 8 Years of Mastectomyversary with BRCASTRONG
Today marks a significant milestone in my journey – it’s been 8 years since my mastectomy, a day etched into my memory with a mix of emotions. As the Founder of BRCASTRONG, I find strength in sharing my story, hoping it inspires others facing similar challenges.
In 2015, two weeks after undergoing a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy, I founded BRCAStrong. My daughter, Gabriela, who was just seven years old at the time, lovingly compared me to a butterfly, symbolizing the different phases of life I was navigating. Her comparison resonated deeply, and it became the inspiration for our organization’s mission of transformation and resilience.
Cancer is in my genes – literally and figuratively
Cancer is in my genes – literally and figuratively. When I was in college both my paternal aunt and my paternal grandmother passed away – 3 years apart, both in February, they both had breast cancer, as well as other health complications.
My Diagnosis of breast cancer and testing positive for BRCA 1 with no family history.
Some mornings I wake up thinking or maybe its me pretending to be just a normal person, but then I put my fingers through my hair and it all flashes back like a bad nightmare. I remember that the reason I have little hair is because I recently had to fight for my life and the fight is something that I’ll always have to do.
Embracing Resilience: 8 Years of Mastectomyversary with BRCASTRONG
Today marks a significant milestone in my journey – it’s been 8 years since my mastectomy, a day etched into my memory with a mix of emotions. As the Founder of BRCASTRONG, I find strength in sharing my story, hoping it inspires others facing similar challenges.
Unveiling Strength: Navigating BRCA1, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and Ovarian Cancer – A Journey of Resilience from 28 to 37
My name is Kelly Stars…a wife, mom of a two year old and a pediatric nurse practitioner. I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer/BRCA 1 Positive in 2014 when I was 28 years old. I lost my mother to breast cancer when I was 14—she was diagnosed at 36 and passed away at 41 years old. At that time, we had no knowledge about the BRCA gene as there was no other family history. I found my lump on my own after having just had an ultrasound and MRI 6 months prior.
Diagnosed at 23 with Breast cancer, Why did this happen to me?
Looking back on the last year, everything feels like a blur. It all moved so quickly, and even though I’m eternally grateful for that, it feels like I never got a real chance to stop, breathe and acknowledge it all.
