My cancer story begins with my father. He was involved in a horrible auto accident and was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital. Around that time I started to develop gastrointestinal issues. I thought it might be something like irritable bowel disease brought on by the worry and stress surrounding my father’s injuries and recovery. But as months went on and things calmed down with my dad, my symptoms didn’t get any better. So I called the Cooper Digestive Health Institute and made an appointment to see Dr. Christopher Deitch, a gastroenterologist.

I was 34 years old and seven-and-a-half months pregnant when I felt a lump in my breast. It was the week before my baby shower. At first I thought, “My body is changing so much because of my pregnancy, it’s probably nothing,” but I figured I would just mention it to my doctor at my next prenatal appointment. She thought it was most likely a cyst, but ordered an ultrasound just to be sure. I knew when the technologist called the doctor into the room during the ultrasound that something was wrong.

I’m a widow with three grown children and 15 grandchildren. I’m a breast cancer survivor and community advocate. My story is very ironic.

For years I’ve worked with my family’s non-profit organization ministering to women of limited means throughout Burlington, Gloucester and Camden counties. Our foundation’s mission is to educate, motivate and support, not just the individual diagnosed with breast cancer, but their entire family.

I was very upset with myself. I had lost two cousins to breast cancer and been active with our family’s outreach program for quite a while, but when it was time for me to get my annual mammogram, I procrastinated and missed three appointments. Even though I was having symptoms and feeling fatigued, I still hesitated to see anyone or do anything.