Sometimes in our
lives, we all have pain.
My husband, Kevin, has been with me the whole time.
We've been married for almost 40 years.
And when I was diagnosed, boy, did he step up.
He's a great strength for me.
Lean on me when you're not strong and I'll be your friend.
One of the things about my cancer journey
is that I have a lot of friends and I have a lot of family.
And I feel their love all the time.
When I was first diagnosed, the doctor came in and said, 'you have stage
four metastatic breast cancer.'
It was overwhelming...devastating.
And so they gave me the name of an oncologist.
I went to her office.
And before we even knew what kind of breast cancer
it was, she said, 'well, you have about two years to live.'
I should quit my job, do my bucket list, spend time with friends and family,
because when I'm going to die, I'll know it.
My husband and I left that meeting just overwhelmed.
A couple of days later, my sister in law, Janet, called me
and she was like, 'I am finding you a new oncologist',
and found out that Georgetown had this robust research.
So, within 48 hours, I was in Georgetown getting my first meeting with
Dr. Claudine Isaacs.
When I first met Lena, the cancer had spread to the liver.
I discussed the options with her, but I also presented to her
the possibility of participating in clinical trial.
And that clinical trial at the time was really using a drug
that we were really excited about; that we thought could make a difference.
And Lena decided to participate on that clinical trial. She looked me
right in the eye and she said, 'Lena, you are going to do really well.'
I believed her and I became an optimist.
It's now seven years later, she's thriving and she's doing wonderfully.
And the data from this trial is what led to the approval of this drug,
which is now absolutely standard of care across the country.
And she's still on it. It's really a special story.
You know, if and when this drug stops working,
I will look for what else is happening, because making my life
matter is giving back.
And if it can help other people. Yay!
I get scanned every three months and I'm stable.
You know, that's always good news, and my husband and I celebrate
after every scan, so it's good.
I got a call from this charitable organization called Cancer Can Rock.
They give musicians who have cancer an opportunity
to go into a professional studio, and they were so nice
and the musicians were so cool.
And I chose an old Elton John song because friends help you on your journey.
A time you never can or shall
erase. As friends together
watch their childhood fly.
Making friends for the world to see.
You know, a good attitude and optimism and hope is so important.
I mean, nobody has a guarantee of a tomorrow.
Life is a journey.
And every day in that life, you have the decision to be hopeful.
And in all things,
embrace your friends. Yes.
If your friends are there, everything's alright.