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Tanjen Walker
I was born on December 27, 1970 and am currently 40 years old. I was adopted at the age of 3 months by, William and Mary Mackell who were already raising six biological children of their own varying in age from 3 years old to 14. I was introduced as the newest addition to the family consisting of two loving parents and six siblings that loved me to no end. I am happily married to my adoring and supportive husband of 19 years, William Walker and the proud mother of one beautiful daughter, Quierra who will be graduating high school this year and going on to pursue higher education in the medical/health field. I'm employed in an administrative support role with an organization that assist individuals with physical disabilities in locating and obtaining housing in a community residence and putting all necessary services in place for these individuals to live safely in the community versus in a nursing home. I've always had a passion and true desire to help and support other individuals in need.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2009. I was completing a self exam and detected the lump back in August 2009 the day before I was to leave for a week vacation to Orlando, Florida with my family. I opted not to notify my family of my findings and scheduled an appointment with my primary care physican upon my return. I underwent a series of tests and examinations to include a mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy which concluded the findings of invasive breast cancer. I was in total disbelief when my diagnosis was disclosed to me because at the age of 38, I thought there's was no way I could be diagnosed with breast cancer, I'm too young. My primary care doctor ordered another series of test to determine if the cancer had spread to any other parts of my body. Fortunately, all the tests came back negative. I then had the task of finding a breast surgeon to discuss my diagnosis and treatment options. Dr. Schnaper came highly recommended to me and upon meeting with her, I knew immediately that she was the best. I felt at ease with her as she explained my diagnosis and test results in detail but most importantly she reassured me that "this is not a death sentence". I underwent surgery the following week and had a lympectomy and full axillary dissection. The surgery and recovery all went very well. I started chemotherapy in November 2009 where I received 4 cycles of AC for a 12 week duration. The second stage of my treatment consisted of Taxol and Herception infusions weekly for a 12 week duration. Following that, I received radiation treatments daily five times a week for 7 weeks. I continued to receive herceptin treatments during radiation and will conclude this treatment at the end of January 2011. I worked fulltime throughout each stage of treatment and did not experience any sickness whatsoever. The fatigue was there but that was manageable with rest. I have an amazing support system consisting of my family, friends, church family, co-workers as well as the medical professionals that have assisted me through my treatmet process and would not have been able to go through this journey with such ease without their support collectively. I am also very active in my church and relied heavily on my faith, beliefs and prayers to get me from the point of denial and pity to acceptance. I may not know the reason why I was diagnosed with breast cancer but I do know that God has used me as an example and inspiration to others to show that there is life after a breast cancer diagnosis and your journey during this illness all depends on the attitude you embrace to beat it. A positive attitude will always bring about positive results. It's been a little over a year since my breast cancer diagnosis and I can now say that I am a breast cancer survivor enjoying life and living it to the fullest each and every day
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