Believe… 
in YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS.
Synthia Alanis
Cancer has always been a large part of my life, affecting my grandfather, my father, and then my patients during my time as a Peds Hem/Onc Nurse at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH). In October 2023, it became MY life when I was diagnosed with Hormone Positive, HER 2- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 3, at 29 years old.
I felt the best I had in years, and then concerning symptoms began to surface, which prompted me to be more in tune with my body, until one night, I felt a lump in my left breast, noticed discoloration, and then rippling. This is when my journey began. I went on to complete 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and 30 rounds of radiation! My journey is far from over. However, God was so reassuring and granted many blessings throughout my journey. I am forever grateful for my family, friends, and LLUH-my work, my treatment center, and my home away from home.
I love to share my story because breast cancer can happen under age 40, and it is so important to do self-exams! The nurse became the patient, so like I tell my patients, “We Can Do Hard Things.”
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