I had just turned 30 and was very excited! Then, exactly one week later I had the lumpectomy and the doctor said the dreadful words, "It's positive for breast cancer." Needless to say that I lost it and felt like I was in a dream...I was sick to my stomach and all I could think of was death. I wanted it to be a very bad dream, a nightmare, but I soon realized it wasn't and I had to make a choice. I could continue being mad, angry, upset, sad and wonder 'why me' or I could start fighting. Once I chose to fight, the pieces sort of fell into place. But when my hair started falling, that was like taking a second bullet to the heart. My family, friends and oncology team were an awesome support system and although there were days when I though I couldn't fight anymore, I didn't give up. I was sad that my kids were so little, but at the same time, that gave me the strength to keep fighting...giving up was not an option. There were definitely a lot of dark days, the kind that only survivors understand. My whole body changed and I felt as though I was disappearing when my eyelashes and eyebrows fall out. Yet through it all, I had to keep going. Today, I am happy to say that I am almost 7 years cancer-free and it feels great! I love a little harder, laugh a little louder and try not to hold back because I know that in the blink of an eye, your life can change. Life will never be the same because the emotional "damage" is still there and the "physical" changes are a constant reminder of those days where I had to "fight like a girl", but I don't dwell on them like I once did. I am a much happier person today and believe that attitude is definitely half the battle!

Adriana Lopez
North Hollywood, United States Minor Outlying Islands