Don’t Let Breast Cancer Beat Your Spirit: Anna's Story of Connection and Care

A cancer diagnosis can turn your world upside down in an instant. For Anna, that moment came after a routine mammogram led to a phone call she never expected. But, what followed was a story not just of treatment—but of connection, support, and finding her footing in the face of fear.

An Unexpected Diagnosis

Anna went in for her regular annual checkup. Her doctor recommended a mammogram. That led to more imaging, and then the call. “You have cancer.” She was 64 years old, and she did not know a single other person who had been through breast cancer.
“It impacted me so tremendously, so viscerally,” Anna recalls. “I was in shock because I honestly didn't know where to start. It's like this new reality, and I had no idea where to even begin.”

Finding Her Path

Anna knew she needed an oncologist and a surgeon, but she did not know where to turn. Then came a moment she describes as a blessing. At work, she mentioned her diagnosis to a coworker. That coworker knew someone who had been through it and made a connection on Anna's behalf.
“It was what I’d call a ‘God’ moment,” Anna shares. “That one person made the contact that I needed. And, that opened the doors for me and made me feel that ‘Oh my gosh, I actually feel in control.’” For Anna, that sense of control mattered deeply. “That's the kind of person I am. I want to be in control,” she adds.

Treatment and Support

Treatment started with chemotherapy at Riverside Cancer Institute before Anna’s surgery. The early days were hard. The sessions left her weak, and she struggled to drink enough water. But, the team found a solution: fluids the day after each treatment. "It worked wonderfully," notes Anna.
Through it all, she kept moving. "I walked and walked. I'd be lucky if I could get to the corner and back, but I did it." Her sister-in-law often walked alongside her. And, her family showed up in ways she never imagined, with care packages and constant encouragement.

A Window Full of Love

One of Anna's most treasured memories came through the large windows at the cancer center. Her young grandsons, ages three and six, lived nearby. While out walking, her daughter-in-law would bring them to wave at Grandma through the glass during her treatments.
“They’d say, ‘It’s grandma!’ It just made me cry every time,” Anna remembers. Even now, two years later, her grandson still looks for her at that window.

Words of Wisdom

Anna finished her treatment in 2024 and now takes a daily pill to lower her risk of the cancer returning. Looking back, she has clear advice for anyone just beginning their own journey.
“Talk to as many people as you can until you get answers,” she urges. “I knew no one who had breast cancer when I was diagnosed. I really felt very much alone. But, just opening up and putting it out there, that gave me answers. Speak up. Talk to people. And review all your options.” Explore the Riverside Cancer Institute page if you want more information on cancer support.