Survivor Story: Brenda Elsamiller

When as a 62-year-old wife, mom, and nana, my only health concern was my diabetes. I loved life, enjoying my grandchildren, traveling with my husband, and enjoying our farm. I had just started my new journey becoming an Independent Paparazzi Consultant. On October 5th, 2018, while I was driving home pulling my trailer full of jewelry, reminiscing over the wonderful day I had, I rubbed my armpit and there was a lump! I got scared. I didn’t tell my husband for a couple of days. I was then off to doctor’s appointments, tests, until the day arrived when my fears were confirmed – it was breast cancer! My world came crashing down. I wasn’t sure how to process it all. How was I going to tell my family, my friends, and worst of all how do I tell my grand babies? I had things I still wanted to do in life, like more time and travel with my husband and watch my grandkids grow. I wasn’t finished with life yet. I wasn’t quite sure how to proceed or what I was facing or what was next.

My next step was cancer appointments and meeting my oncologist. He was amazing, welcoming, caring, and compassionate. Next came the treatments, losing my hair, several trips to ER, and several hospitals stays. This journey was pure hell for the next year.

My husband was always there to help me make decisions, and care for me when I was too sick to care for myself. Then at surgery time we opted for a double mastectomy. I wanted to take all precautions to prevent cancer from coming back. I was very nervous about the changes to my body, and how people were going to stare like they did when I was bald. And would my husband look at me differently? Who would want me? I must look like Frankenstein.

After healing from surgery, it was off to radiation – thirty three sessions. The burns were painful, but I stayed strong. Whew! Then I was thinking now is the time to live life.

I am enjoying life again. My grandchildren have grown into adults of which I am so proud and they have blessed me with beautiful great-grand babies. My theory is to always stay positive even when life is at its worst. I LOVE MY LIFE. I live each day to the fullest because you never know.

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