Believe… 
in surviving and thriving
Heather Paul
In the spring of 2018, I made an appointment with my doctor because I had developed some dimpling on my left breast. My doctor referred me to a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy, which would confirm my greatest fear, Stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...breast cancer.
My mother had been diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer a year earlier. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that my mom and I had cancer simultaneously. My family and I lost my mom during my six rounds of chemotherapy. I found it hard to grieve the loss of my mom during this time as I was trying to survive the side effects of chemo.
I had a lumpectomy in December 2018 and had to go back in because they didn’t get clear margins. After this second surgery, I fell apart. I was down; I was depressed, and I didn’t recognize the face I saw in the mirror. I feared my cancer journey would end like my mother’s.
There were some dark days, but TODAY I feel amazing. I spent months with absolutely no energy. But you know what? My energy came back, my hair grew, and I feel better than ever! I thank God every day that He’s given me another day here on earth to spend with my husband and three daughters.
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