Believe… 
in being resilient
Christina Villanueva
I am a two-time breast cancer survivor. The first time I was diagnosed at the age of 22, and the second time at the age of 46.
Hearing the words “you have cancer” can debilitate a person especially being just 22 years old and a single mom of a six-year-old child. I was numb and speechless, not knowing if it was a death sentence. In 1992, I went through massive radiation treatments that included radiation implants followed by local radiation daily for eight weeks. I had a lumpectomy the first time because the benefits of mastectomy vs. a lumpectomy were not explained to me. The Lumpectomy was followed by five years of Tamoxifen.
My second diagnosis came in 2015, Triple- Negative BCA. I had a double mastectomy and 18 rounds of chemo. I have long-term damage, such as neuropathy and GI problems caused by the massive radiation, but I have learned to adapt to my new normal and live every day as if it was my last. I appreciate all that I didn’t before.
I push myself daily and smile through it all because I am resilient. I am a SURVIVOR!
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