I was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinomas at 33 with no known history in the family. I was a single mom with a three year old daughter. I did a lumpectomy, chemo (AC), and radiation. A year out of treatment I was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma on the other breast. I did gene testing and found out that I was a Catholic with the Ashkenazi Jewish gene mutation. I had two lumpectomies and then a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. My Glut flap nearly killed me. I did more chemo (CMF) and found out that I was in chemopause.

I had extracted just one embryo before my second battle with breast cancer. I had a heart to heart with God - or whoever was put there listening in my universe. I said you gave me breast cancer twice, now I want two babies - newborn, Caucasian, domestic, girls - and I want them born in June because I am a Special Ed teacher, and I want the summer off with my new babies. One and a half years later I adopted two newborn baby girls. Sage was born June 8 in Oregon and just 13 days later, Sienna was born in Minnesota. Four years later, both my sisters were pregnant and again I asked for another baby. I adopted my son Slayton 10 months later. There is power in positive thinking! On October 2, 2017 I became a 21 year breast cancer survivor.