This beautiful young lady was first diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in Oct 2015.  Her “Never Give Up” spirit is evidenced in the treatment process below, but also in those photos.  She used her cosmetology knowledge to have fun with her hair and the wigs.  

• Chemo started right away and that shrank the cancer.
• May 2016 A mastectomy was followed by radiation.  
• January 2017 Reconstructive surgery was performed.  
• March 2017 Brain metastases were found and treated with whole brain radiation.  
• Chemo was continued to help manage the disease.  
• November 2017 a pain developed in her hip and she was prescribed a combination of Methadone and Hydrocodone for relief. 
• March 2018 her cancer markers had increased and she began to have neck pain.  A new treatment was begun.  
• April 9, 2018 she had an MRI of her cervical & lumbar spine as well as her brain where tumors were found. 
• April 20th her left leg swelled and a blood clot was found.  She was given blood thinner meds.
• She had to quit work at this point.   
• April 22 she could no longer walk.  
• April 24 radiation to her spine began.  The radiologist felt the brain metastases were small and could be addressed a bit later.  She was transported every day for radiation treatments which proved to be very stressful.   
• May 3rd radiation to her brain was started.
• May 5th she began having trouble breathing.  An ambulance was called to transport her to the hospital.   Blood clots were found in both lungs as well as her liver.  Blood thinners were again introduced but it was too difficult to maintain a good balance.  She was told there was nothing more that could be done.  
• May 7 she was placed on hospice.  
• This sweet, beautiful girl passed away May 17th, 2018.  

Be sure your doctor is responsive to your concerns, aches or pains.  After all, we know our bodies best.  Her doctors were very good and addressed every concern she had as well as doing all they could to stay ahead of it.  While she tolerated every treatment well; unfortunately, she succumbed to this horrible and very aggressive disease. 

Self-examination and regular mammograms are key to early detection and increased survival rates. The opportunity for mammograms is widespread – even to Mobile Mammo Units at your worksite – which is how hers was detected.  

Breast Cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States. 65% of those cases will have a survival rate of 99%.  Cancer’s impact is felt physically, mentally, emotionally and financially and throughout the family and support group.  This beautiful woman's family and friends honor her memory by sharing her story and educating others about the many resources that are available to those newly diagnosed. The list below is merely a starting point.    

• Breast & Cervical Cancer Services For Texas at https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/health-services-providers/womens-health-services
• The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
• The National Cancer Institute
• The American Cancer Society
• The Patient Access Network Foundation
• Career Financial Assistance Coalition
• Friends and family that have been through it already can be a valuable support group