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Lisa Nicola
My name is Lisa Nicola, I will turn 50 in April. After losing my dad in May 2009 to
liver cancer, I never imagined myself facing what I have over the last 9 months. It
was shocking to hear that the lump I found was in fact a word attached to a phrase
I never dreamed of hearing, " You have breast cancer". I am very aware of my
health and work out strenuously everyday as well as eating healthy although I do
indulge in delicious food as well.
I work for Northrup Grunman. My colleagues and staff were very supportive of what
I endured over the last 9 months. Other than the surgery recovery time, the day
of chemo treatment and a few miscellaneous days, I continued to work everyday
as well as excercised throughout the ordeal. I think it helped me get through my
darkest and scariest time. My mother, sister , other family members and a few close
friends aware of what I was experiencing helped me in many ways. My significant
other jumped into action the day we got the diagnosis and he kept focused me on
the " Big Picture" of getting through the treatments and focusing on the future while
beating this disease so prevalent in our society.
As a woman that is extremely fashion oriented, the thought of losing my hair was
frustrating as was attempting to select a wig. When my hair started to fall out I
immediately went and shaved my head donating my hair to others in need. Although
I did purchase a human hair wig, I never wore it. I simply threw on a cap and went
about my business. Needless to say, I had many people stare at me. I went through 6
chemo treatments and 36 radiation treatments ending on December 22, 2010.
So when my hair finally started growing back, the grey/snowball white color was
not what I imagined but instead of wearing my cap starting off the New Year, I
left it off and started a new chapter in my life. I have a positive attitude and while
looking back I didn’t at first think I would make it through. With the help of the Dr.
Schnapner, her office and my gal Barbara who was my goto for all my questions.
There was never a question I could not run by Barb and get a straight answer. She
prepared me for my journey and was always there for me. I knew I had it in me and
wanted to get through this as quickly as possible. I wanted to fight and beat this. I
have hope that I did beat this and it is just one of the life experiences that will make
me a better, more understanding person.
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