Believe…

in never losing hope

Margaret Lesh

In 2000, at age thirty-four, I found a lump in my breast, which was diagnosed as stage I invasive ductal carcinoma. With no family history of breast cancer and a two-year-old son at home, I was terrified. After a lumpectomy, six weeks of radiation, and the estrogen receptor-blocking drug Tamoxifen, my cancer was considered cured. Twelve years later, at age 47, my mammogram revealed a recurrence, at which time I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.

In 2023, I am healthy and happy. My cancer experience taught me many things, giving me a second chance. Now I live with gratitude, giving thanks to my family, friends, and dedicated healthcare team for helping me through the scary times. I have the utmost respect for the researchers working diligently to find cures and new treatments for all cancers. I also give thanks to The CARE Project and their continued loving support of not only me but other area cancer survivors and thrivers.

Each day is a gift. And cancer is a word, not a sentence. Never lose hope. Never stop believing.