Colleen Anderson was diagnosed originally with Stage 3 Breast Cancer in 2015. However, after her surgery of her double mastectomy the breast cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and liver and as a result her diagnosis was changed to Stage 4. After 35 radiation sessions two brain tumors were found which also required surgery and soon after she also had to have a hysterectomy. She explained that one of the positives to come out of her journey was she realized how strong she was and even gained the courage to leave an abusive relationship. She also saw that she was able to beat the odds and should take advantage of every second.
Ann Marie Giannino-Otis was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer in 2012. She decided to have a double mastectomy and then proceeded to have reconstruction surgery as well. However, soon after surgery her implants rejected and had to be removed. As a result of these surgeries she was left with terrible scarring which had to be surgically removed this encouraged her to get tattoos on her breasts. She is known in the breast cancer community for her blog Stupid Dumb Breast Cancer which she originally started because her “family is nosy”. The blog however soon took off and today has thousands of readers worldwide.
Tammy O’Keefe Braunscheidel was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer in July of 2018. Part of her treatment course was a single mastectomy however, during her healing time from the surgery Breast Cancer was found in her bones and her diagnosis switched from Stage 2 to Stage 4 cancer. Stage 4 cancer is not curable. As a result she began to suffer depression and anxiety involving her part in the future of her sons. Her doctor recommended meditation which has now become a large part in her ability to stay positive and also keep her emotions in control during harder times.
Christina Mulvihil Petragnani was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer in April of 2019 after a lump was found in her breast. Before her single mastectomy a lump was found in her other breast but a clear reading was not possible through a biopsy, she decided instead to have a double mastectomy to be safe. After the mastectomy she found out that the other breast did in fact have cancer as well. Christina then got a breast reconstruction just 6 days previous to this photo being taken.
Maria Ellman was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2017. Ellman originally opted for a single mastectomy despite her doctor warning her that cancer would most likely be found in the other breast within 5 years. However as she was getting closer to her surgery Ellman decided to switch to a double mastectomy. After the surgery Ellman when through 12 weeks of Chemotherapy and one month of Radiation. Unlike the traditional side effects from treatment Ellman noted feeling much healthier and even more positive than she prior to her diagnosis.
Amy Lynne was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer after discovering a lump in her breast following a deviated septum surgery. Within a month of her diagnosis she opted to have a double mastectomy with full reconstruction. After the procedure she underwent weekly chemotherapy sessions for 3 months which resulted in the loss of her hair. She described the hair loss as one of the hardest parts of her journey to accept. She has been cancer free 8 years as of the photo being taken.
