“Norton Cancer Institute gives me one gift each time I visit: HOPE.” Every breast cancer journey is unique, filled with courage, strength, and resilience. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re sharing the powerful stories of our patients. 💞 “My name is Amy Carey, I am a proud mother of two beautiful daughters, Maria and Madelyn, age 21 and 25, and have been married to my husband Joel for 27 years. I have never missed a mammogram even during Covid. I was diagnosed after an abnormal mammogram and biopsy with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stage 2B. Receiving the call was terrifying. I was told that things would start moving very fast, and this was exactly what happened. Once I got a navigator, I felt a bit more in control, and meeting my oncologist Dr. Agrawal was my first step in beating this terrible disease that was growing quickly. I underwent testing to figure out my oncotype which would determine if I would need chemotherapy. Sadly, my score was 32. I decided to have a genetic test that would not only provide additional important information for me, but for my daughters too. I was shocked to learn I carry a mutation called CHEK 2. This gene makes me 40% more likely to have breast cancer and 10% more likely to have colon cancer. I immediately thought about my girls and their futures. They will both be getting genetic testing too, which will give them knowledge to remain vigilant in their own lives and in staying healthy. We met my surgeon Dr. DeWeese and decided on a lumpectomy with lymph node removal. After my surgery, we received news which shocked even Dr. DeWeese, three of five of my lymph nodes removed were full of cancer. This was even more reason for four rounds of chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiation. The nurses at Norton Cancer Institute were so kind and made my infusions as comfortable as possible. Zeus the therapy dog would always pay me a visit and make things better. Chemo wasn’t easy for me, mentally or physically. It is brutal. Due to severe neutropenia, I was only able to complete three of the four rounds. When I made it to radiation, I knew I was getting to the finish line. The technicians were always there with a smile. The staff would always greet me with a smile and take time to talk with me and ask about my journey. They still do. It means the world to me. I have four years to go until remission. Some days are much harder than others. I still don’t know what the future holds. I know I could not have made it this far without the love and support of my amazing family and friends. The love they have given me is immeasurable and unconditional. And my faith has grown stronger with each passing day. I have met so many amazing warriors on this journey. I pray we will all reach our end goals. Norton Cancer Institute gives me one gift each time I visit: HOPE. ❤️” Take a moment for yourself—regular self-exams and mammograms are key to early detection. Schedule your mammogram here: https://bit.ly/3Al06NA
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