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.
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.
Hello, my name is Emily and I am a wife and mother to two amazing kids. Just before Christmas 2020, I sat at my kitchen table, trying to fill the tiny spit bottle, that would ultimately test my genetics for the BRCA mutation. I sent that tiny bottle away, enjoyed the coming holidays and thought nothing of what might come back from that genetic test.
I was never one to care much what people thought until now. I lived my life freely and boldly, but people’s perceptions and expectations really weighed on me after my diagnosis. And sometimes it’s my own perceptions that trouble me, whether constantly contemplating my situation, questioning my decisions, or tempering my feelings from some degree of shame. This is an extremely difficult space to be in for those of us unaccustomed to being vulnerable. And a struggle even more so for people of color.
In the fall of 2018 my doctor told me that due to my family history of cancer that I was a good candidate for genetic testing. So, I elected to have the test done. After 4 weeks the test results came back and I was told that I was at high risk of getting breast cancer due to a gene mutation.
Hi, my name is Ria @thisgirlisthriving👋🏽 I am located in Seattle, Washington. I am a wife and mother. I am faith filled and choose to walk by faith. I am a skin cancer survivor and breast cancer thriver.
In January of 2020, I went to the Dr, for him to diagnose me that I had shingles. While I was there I mention about a lump I felt in my breast and armpit and how painful they really hurt. He said it’s probably from the shingles.
In the past almost 3 years I’ve seen my wife go through a lot of ups and downs. She has faced many adversities that’s gotten the best of her. I want to take the time to extremely thank Amoena from the bottom of my heart for the gift of happiness you have given her.
Hello, my name is Emily and I am a wife and mother to two amazing kids. Just before Christmas 2020, I sat at my kitchen table, trying to fill the tiny spit bottle, that would ultimately test my genetics for the BRCA mutation. I sent that tiny bottle away, enjoyed the coming holidays and thought nothing of what might come back from that genetic test.
I was never one to care much what people thought until now. I lived my life freely and boldly, but people’s perceptions and expectations really weighed on me after my diagnosis. And sometimes it’s my own perceptions that trouble me, whether constantly contemplating my situation, questioning my decisions, or tempering my feelings from some degree of shame. This is an extremely difficult space to be in for those of us unaccustomed to being vulnerable. And a struggle even more so for people of color.
In the fall of 2018 my doctor told me that due to my family history of cancer that I was a good candidate for genetic testing. So, I elected to have the test done. After 4 weeks the test results came back and I was told that I was at high risk of getting breast cancer due to a gene mutation.
Hi, my name is Ria @thisgirlisthriving👋🏽 I am located in Seattle, Washington. I am a wife and mother. I am faith filled and choose to walk by faith. I am a skin cancer survivor and breast cancer thriver.
In January of 2020, I went to the Dr, for him to diagnose me that I had shingles. While I was there I mention about a lump I felt in my breast and armpit and how painful they really hurt. He said it’s probably from the shingles.
In the past almost 3 years I’ve seen my wife go through a lot of ups and downs. She has faced many adversities that’s gotten the best of her. I want to take the time to extremely thank Amoena from the bottom of my heart for the gift of happiness you have given her.
Hi my name is Annie Mileto and I’m 37 years old. I was diagnosed with DCIS Zero stage breast cancer 2 years ago, it was not found on my routine mammogram instead it was only found because I kept pushing my doctors.
