Carol Serio, 2015
I was diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer in late June 2012. Triple Negative is a very aggressive cancer but my doctors were more aggressive. The doctors and nurses were and still are very caring.
I learned about BCCR from my husband who retrieved their magazine from my doctor’s office. He brought it home and at first, I wanted no part of the magazine. Slowly I started leafing through the pages and decided I needed to journey to University Ave. I went down one afternoon and parked across the street and stared at the building. People were coming and going then I decided “what the hell” and went in. I was greeted by a pleasant woman who introduced herself as Holly Anderson. We went onto her room and talked. I left pleasantly surprised.
As they say, “the rest is history!” I want to thank you all for being there for everyone. God bless, keep on truckin’.
Tammy Serio-Miller, 2015
I was diagnosed with breast cancer this year on January 2; I had my biopsy on December 31. Happy New Year!!! I was in the process of transitioning back to the working world and starting to get lots of work. I felt my life was totally interrupted and I had to take time off of work. My husband took over many responsibilities for our 8 year old daughter and household. I was overwhelmed by the diagnosis and treatment. Anxiety was with me most of the time and now I am just stunned.
I went through chemotherapy first, thinking that maybe I could have breast conservation. My surgery was in July and I expected to start radiation in September.
Because my mom, Carol Serio, had breast cancer approximately three years ago, I was familiar with the Breast Cancer Coalition. We have participated in the walk at Genesee Valley Park for a couple of years. We have gone to lectures there and my mom had shared the newsletter with me. I read about Breast Cancer 101 and quickly made an appointment with Holly for my husband and I. We found our meeting informative and received tons of support. The Coalition has contacted me for the PALS support program and I have borrowed books from their library. I have called Holly with questions and she is very approachable and responsive. I know if I call them, they are always there.
My mom and I took the Voices and Vision writing class together. We made new friends and enjoyed our instructor. We expressed ourselves through writing.
Overall, breast cancer has given me many changes. I am still in the process of coping with this; I never thought my mom would get breast cancer or myself. It has changed the way I look and changed my persona in the world. I am still developing my position in relating to this and relating to the world.
