Amy // Triple Negative Breast Cancer Stage 2B Survivor

Age: 46 years old.

From: Ennis, Texas – and currently lives in Dallas, TX.

What treatments did you undergo during your journey? Chemotherapy, Surgery, Immuno Therapy, Alternative and Integrative.

What were your signs/symptoms leading up to your diagnosis? Mass under my right armpit, rash on chest & torso.

How did cancer alter your lifestyle? Cancer crashed my world hard mentally, physically, emotionally, & spiritually as the same cancer had just taken my mother from me. I had to really dig deep and rely on my family, my friends, and my faith to see the silver linings and believe that not only I could fight, that I would survive.

What makes your story unique or helpful to others? I was diagnosed 4 months after losing my mother to her 2 year battle with breast cancer. The lessons that I’ve learned of the importance of advocating for yourself through diagnosis and treatment are so valuable and helpful to those on this journey that aren’t aware that they do have choices and have rights to second opinions.

Any advice for those coming behind you? Give yourself grace. Allow yourself to fight like hell but also rest. You have put others first your whole life but now is the time…put YOU first. And don’t look back, no regrets, no guilt.

Do you have a funny cancer story? I was in the middle of my 20 something rounds of chemo, no hair, no eyebrows, swollen, puffy, nauseas, dizzy, headache, not walking well…all the things! A dear friend had come over to sit and chat with me. While there, our carbon monoxide detector alarm began sounding off and no one else in my family was home…I started thinking maybe that’s why I felt so bad?? My friend said to call 911, I did, and 911 said to get outside immediately. A fire truck showed up in minutes. I was panicked, didn’t have my wig on or my head cover…was in pjs, no makeup and a mess. I told my friend that I had to get a head cover on and she couldn’t figure out why I was so worried. I told her that Firemen are always cute & I need to be presentable!!! I’m happily married but it’s a self pride thing. The cute firemen began asking if I was having any symptoms of headache, nausea, dizziness…well yes sir, I am, ALL of them. I’m going through chemo. I’m not sure what is what since I heard this alarm?!?! They checked the house thoroughly and thankfully, it was a false alarm. They couldn’t have been nicer. My friend and I got a good laugh out of a rotten day of chemo/red devil side effects!!

Favorite quote, scripture or song? Fearless doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid, it means you accept the fear and move forward anyway.

Product or service that changed your life? Meal service…to cook for my family at my sickest moments. There are lots of services out there that will deliver home cooked meals for you & your family when you are feeling your worst that can cater to your diet as well as your family.

How did you hear about Brighter? How has it made a difference? I heard about Brighter right before I was diagnosed. Then after my first chemo, a dear friend dropped off a copy. Such a gift for those traveling the cancer journey!