Anne Slowik

Living with MBC

Treatment: Double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and reconstruction

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, at 37 years old. It is never good timing to get news like this. But, my husband, kids, family, friends, Bon Jovi music and Harry Potter books helped me get through it all.

I have learned with cancer that at times you don’t have full control over your life. It takes some getting used to but I just try to enjoy everything. A good sense of humor is the best way to help for me. I have had a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, reconstruction and an oophorectomy.

The doctors and nurses have been wonderful. My kids have been an inspiration. They didn’t care that Mommy was bald. We laughed about it. We jumped on the couches and sang Bon Jovi songs. They tried to help when I wasn’t feeling well or recovering from a surgery.

Since then, the cancer has moved to my hip, eye and liver. I am taking oral chemotherapy and I am very lucky to be feeling great. And as an extra bonus, I still have hair! I am living a great life and can be a regular Mom. The hardest part so far is losing my Mother to breast cancer. It happened this summer and we miss her a lot.