Holly Gustafson

Survivor

In May 2015 I found a lump on my right breast during a self-exam. I had a mammogram on May 14th and a biopsy the following day. On May 18th I was given the results of my biopsy, I was diagnosed with Stage 2A Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, at the age of 32, and since this day my life has completely changed. From the moment I was diagnosed I went into fight mode. I had only one goal, to beat this cancer and to become a survivor. I had no idea the journey that I would go on and all the wonderful people that would support me along the way. Only July 6th I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. While in surgery it was discovered that the cancer and spread to one lymph node which changed my stage to 2B. This news didn’t discourage me, it just made me want to fight harder. I started chemotherapy on August 20th and am still currently going through treatment. My final chemo will be January 7th, 2016 and then I will go through radiation. On September 12th I walked in my first Susan G Komen Race for the Cure as a survivor along with my support team, “Team Pink.” I have the most amazing family and friends that have supported me along this journey, and I am so thankful for them. I am currently going back to school to become a nurse, and after this experience I know that nursing is what I was truly meant to do. I want to work in oncology and be able to give back and provide support to cancer patients of all kinds.