Together we can.

As a 48-year-old mother to a teenage daughter, hearing the words "you have breast cancer" was devastating. The news could not have come at the worst time as I had been notified earlier that I was being terminated from my existing job position. Terrified by losing my health insurance at a time that I so desperately needed it, I scrambled to obtain the necessary test and next steps following my cancer diagnosis. The time that I had lost by evading my yearly check-ups finally came to a head as I was examined and consulted by many about the lump found in my breast. I was faced with the idea that I was living on borrowed time. In the end,  I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer.
 

My malignant tumor could have been detected earlier if I had kept up with my yearly mammograms. The advice my provider was giving me following those words leaving her mouth flew right above my head. It was hard to comprehend. Me, a mother and wife living a peaceful life, now has to face the idea that I may not be in my family's life in the future. With the counseling of my doctor and the support of my family, I decided on receiving a double mastectomy and going through chemotherapy treatments.
 

My journey with my surgery and chemotherapy was a long and painful one. A journey that left me in pain physically and psychologically. I would not wish the experience I went through to happen to anyone, even my worst enemy. I decided to share my story with other individuals like me who may be going through their journey with breast cancer. Seeing patients struggle with the physical, psychological, and economical effects that cancer treatments people like myself had to go through, I was motivated to create a service where I could provide care packages to patients going through this phase of their lives. ~Monica