Diagnosis & Treatment

CANCER TYPE
Breast Cancer
AGE DIAGNOSED
42
Medical Center
Hoag Hospital, Irvine, CA Campus and UCLA Medical Center - Laguna Hills, CA Campus
Surgeon
Dr. Heather MacDonald - Hoag - Irvine, CA
Oncologist
Dr. Kevin Lin - Radiation Oncologist - Hoag, Irvine, CA) and Dr. Merry Tetef - Medical Oncologist - UCLA Laguna Hills, CA)
Clinical Trials
Medical Treatment
Radiation
Surgery
Details of Treatment
One surgery (lumpectomy) and 21 radiation sessions (3 months from date of surgery to final radiation session)
Medication During Treatment
None during treatment, Tamoxifen is ongoing.
Alternative Therapies During Treatment
Meditation
WHAT CANCER TAUGHT ME
Cancer has given me a profound sense of gratitude and made me much more aware of all the good that surrounds me in both the everyday and in the extraordinary.
Supplements
Vitamin D, probiotics
WHAt helped me during treatment
AnaOno bras - and lots of new pajamas.
Favorite Quote
“The Lord will guard your going and your coming, now and forevermore. Psalm 121”
Advice for Others
You can’t figure it all out on Day 1. Take the medical decisions one day at a time. Don’t think you can map it all out at once because you won’t have all the answers in the beginning. Have a plan for maintaining your mental and emotional well-being. Lean on your support system - they want to help! Ask doctors you know and like for referrals when putting together your team.

My Story

Cancer has given me a profound sense of gratitude and made me much more aware of all the good that surrounds me in both the everyday and in the extraordinary. It has also made me realize I don’t have the time nor the desire for bullsh*t, which has been a good thing!

Some words of advice to those newly diagnosed: you can’t figure it all out on Day 1. Take the medical decisions one day at a time. Don’t think you can map it all out at once because you won’t have all the answers in the beginning. Have a plan for maintaining your mental and emotional well-being. Lean on your support system - they want to help! Ask doctors you know and like for referrals when putting together your team.

My favorite inspirational quote is Psalm 121 posted by the doors at my treatment hospital: “The Lord will guard your going and your coming, now and for evermore."

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