2 years ago, 1 year after my brother passed away from cancer at 29, I was diagnosed with CANCER. I went to the doctor by myself during lunch hour to check out a lump. I was certain that NO WAY I could have cancer. God would not do that to me so soon after the loss of my brother. I was told that same day that I had cancer and that I needed to see a surgeon for test to confirm. I sat on the bench thinking this is not real. Maybe they are wrong. I felt lost, confused and could not think straight. I had the right surgeon, plastic surgeon and oncologist all lined up because they were the same ones that we researched for my brother. My surgeon worked with plastic surgeon to do reconstruction at the same time. Best thing I could have done. I woke up with tata's and did not have to face additional surgeries with the dreaded drainage tubes. Yes that was the worst part for me. After a double mastectomy, reconstruction, chemo and now tamoxifen. I am GREAT. I was fortunate to stay busy with friends, family and yes I worked during the chemo treatments. My oncologist and my company worked with me to accomodate my schedule. Today I have 15 year old perky tata's that actually get me honks and even GP doctor was stunned that I had a double mastectomy. I now look back and really believe that God gave me a gift of compassion and Love of life that I did not have before. I use to put work first and now I love to swing on swings, and ride my pink bike like I did when I was 10 and laugh at least once a day.

Donis Simmons
Walker, LA