Hello! My name is Angela Van Zandt. I’m 42 and a mother of three awesome kids. I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in Oct. ‘17. I had no prior health concerns before this month. My cancer spread to my liver and lungs. I had surgery to remove a …
Read More »Monthly Archives: January 2018
Chris’s Story (Melanoma, Breast Cancer)
I was diagnosed with stage three melanoma in my twenties and spent twenty plus years chasing it around my body. After fifteen years of melanoma-free life, I was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. Over the last year, I have had three courses of chemo, a bilateral mastectomy and radiation. I …
Read More »Lisa and Laurell’s Story (Arachnoiditis, Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome)
You have no idea how much you can handle until it all falls on you in one moment, or repeats over several years. My name is Lisa, and before everything happened, I thought I was a happily married mom of three sons. One was a tween, and two were teens. …
Read More »Jolene’s Story (Breast Cancer, Ovarian cancer)
I have debated writing this story, but decided if I can encourage just one person to stay strong and carry on, then it is worth it. I was a 42-year-old divorced mother of 4 and was working 3 to 4 jobs at a time. In March 2010, I was diagnosed …
Read More »Lori’s Story (Amyloidosis)
I am a 40 year old mom of 2 living in Waterdown, Ontario. In 2016 I was diagnosed with primary AL Amyloidosis with multiple organ involvement. My symptoms started as far back as 2014, but it took me years to get a diagnosis. It is a rare disease and many …
Read More »Mary’s Story (Breast Cancer)
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on October 1, 2013 – the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From the outset, I vowed to be transparent, and open about my diagnosis and treatment in my journey. I wanted to share my journey in hopes of helping others along the …
Read More »Bridget’s Story (Breast Cancer)
My breast cancer story: At 38 years old, my gynecologist recommended I go in for my baseline mammogram. Baseline showed a small cyst in my right breast at the 4 o’clock position. After the results were given to my gynecologist, she recommended I see a surgeon to either watch it …
Read More »Misty’s Story (Breast Cancer)
Diagnosed on February 15, 2017 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, High grade DCIS. Stage 1 Grade 2. ER+ PR+ HER2- No lymph node involvement, Oncotype X score 34. BRCA – Negative. On my 43rd birthday, I rolled over in bed, and it hurt. Not thinking it could be anything, I did …
Read More »Teresa’s Story (Breast Cancer)
I am currently being treated for breast cancer. In my early 20’s (1986) I began having several issues, for which I was diagnosed 6 years later. I had a pituitary tumor, causes terrible headaches, hormonal imbalance, etc. After surgeries, including gamma knife radiation, the tumor remains. Due to the hormonal …
Read More »Pamela’s Story (Breast Cancer)
After being in remission for 12 years and having a lumpectomy on left side, chemo and radiation, I was diagnosed 5 weeks ago on right side this time. No choice but to have my breast removed and then go back and remove the left. While in the hospital, I developed …
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