I was leaving the security of my management job and decided to get a full physical before I lost my insurance. At 42 breast cancer never entered my mind. I was happily married,my two children were grown and I was looking forward to volunteering with my new spare time. My Dr. Was booked so I was seen by her physicians assistant. The light mood of my exam quickly changed as she said she felt a "fullness" in my left breast. I was immediately sent for a mammogram,ultrasound and then a biopsy. As my husband and I camped out in the waiting room of the lab, my head was spinning. As the results were read to us I heard nothing after "it's cancer". As I write this 2 1/2 years later, I want to give everyone with a new diagnosis hope. I endured a bilateral mastectomy, 24 weeks of chemo, 35 radiation treatments and finally after 14 months with no breasts, reconstruction. My husband, family and friends showed me just how strong I was. I am thankful today to be cancer free!

Catherine Hunter
College Station, TX