Theresa was diagnosed with stage two infiltrating ductal carcinoma in 1999, and immediately started her 11 month treatment with a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Chemotherapy caused Theresa to lose her hair, which she found very difficult.
“The toughest part was losing my hair and not feeling like a woman,” said Theresa. “My grandson’s smile gave me the will to do the things I needed to do. He didn’t know the difference in Nana with hair and Nana without hair.” Theresa credits her two neighbors, Katherine and Doris, with getting her through the daily grind of chemo and radiation. “Katherine and Doris backed out of the driveway every day at 12:15 and beeped the horn. If I felt up to it I would join them for mass. They kept my fridge full and took care of me,” said Theresa. Theresa celebrated the end of 33 days of radiation therapy - 11 months after her diagnosis -- by going out to dinner with her two daughters. She said she learned some important life lessons because of breast cancer.
“I wake up every day with a good attitude,” said Theresa. “I have been given a second chance at life and it makes me look at things differently.” |
