Amy is a naturally upbeat, positive person who finds karaoke to be a healing experience. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Amy kept singing and competing in a local karaoke competition.
“I’ve been through hardships and had tragedy in my life,” she said. “My father went through his own journey of cancer with grace and ease. I know staying positive throughout my experiences has helped me stay true to myself.”
Unknown Family Health History
Before her breast cancer diagnosis, Amy was already familiar with cancer. She was adopted, so she doesn’t know her biological family’s health history. Her adopted father passed away from cancer, and in 2020, Amy was diagnosed with stage 1 cervical cancer and underwent a radical hysterectomy.
“I went through a lot of mental gymnastics with my cervical cancer diagnosis,” she said. “I had my eulogy planned, I had letters written for my loved ones just in case something happened.”
Discovering a Lump
In March 2024, Amy felt a lump in her right breast. She called her doctor’s office the next morning. “I had just turned 39, so I hadn’t had a mammogram yet,” she said. “They got me in right away for a diagnostic mammogram.”
A Breast Cancer Diagnosis
More tests followed, including a breast ultrasound and a biopsy, which confirmed Amy had stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. “I was at ease when they told me,” she said. “I knew I needed to stay positive and surround myself with people who were loving and supportive, not people who would be negative.”
Treatment, Surgery & Reconstruction
Amy started chemotherapy right away. “I was on the Red Devil, but we called it the Red Angel, because it was working to save my life,” she said. “It was really rough, the most difficult chemotherapy I experienced.”
Even when treatment was hard, Amy made the decision to stay positive. “For me, staying positive and happy and joyous throughout treatment helped a lot,” she said.
Amy opted to have a bilateral mastectomy with a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction, and she also had immunotherapy.
Genetic Testing
Amy underwent genetic testing, which shows she is positive for the BRCA2 inherited gene mutation.
Finding Hope Through Singing
Singing has always been a part of Amy’s life. “When I was first adopted, I was 15 months old, and I would stand on the fireplace hearth and just sing,” Amy said. “It was mostly babbling, but I was trying to sing. It’s definitely in my blood to be a performer.”
During her treatment, Amy made it a point to go to karaoke on Monday and Wednesday evenings. “It was my karaoke therapy, something that gave me joy,” she said. “I’d have my makeup done, put on false eyelashes, and I’d get up and sing. I even entered a competition and won.”
Moving Forward
When Amy’s dad was sick, she saw how he faced his journey with kindness and grace. “I wanted my own journey to mirror his,” she said. “Breast cancer definitely took its toll on my body, but with the support of my husband, my kids, my family and friends, I finished treatment. I rang the bell. “
Statements and opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
