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Survivor since 1983
In the early 1980's I was enjoying life, living in New York and working for ABC News. My brother and his wife just had a son, my first nephew. He became the love of my life. A few years later in 1983, while working for ABC News I was diagnosed for the first time. I felt like my life was ending. I opted for a lumpectomy and had 30 treatments of radiation.
In 1984 ABC sent me to Los Angeles to cover the Summer Olympics. I fell in love with L.A., and one year later they asked me to transfer there. After some consideration I jumped at the chance. I felt like it would be a good change for me, considering all I had gone through.
After nine years, I decided to leave ABC News. My life had become very stressful and I was living in fear of the breast cancer returning. In December of 1998 my breast cancer did return and I underwent a mastectomy. This was an emotionally devastating experience for me and I opted for immediate reconstruction. Unfortunately, anything that could go wrong did. Several days after the surgery, I developed a serious infection which would require more surgery. Next, I discovered I had a major hernia, then my Oncologist found blood clots. With all of this stress and anxiety, was I scared? You bet! Do I think about it everyday? Yes! However, all-in-all I did receive the best gift anyone could ever give me. That is, the gift of life. I thank God for each and every day I get to spend with my family and my nephew Anthony who is now 30 years old and still the love of my life.
