National Health Review Quarterly Vol. 5 No. 4

Breast cancer is a journey that should not be done solo, as Dr. Emran Imami of the Tepas Breast Center in Melbourne, chronicles in his photo profiles of survivors and the special people who gave them the courage to fight the disease.

For young Lizette Cano, her fiercely supportive mother was an indomitable force of energy for her.

“My mother closed up and left her home in Miami and told her boss she had to go be with her daughter. ‘She needs me.’ For eight months she took care of and pampered me. She went to every appointment, every chemotherapy treatment. It was so great to have that special time with her, even though I had breast cancer.

My having cancer brought everyone together. My whole family was amazing. It was a blessing in disguise; so much good came after the scary part. It really opened my eyes and I truly believe that life is better than before.

I would say to those facing breast cancer that caregivers, family, friends are very important and should stay close. Oh, and when my mom returned to Miami, her job was there waiting for her!”

Sumran Castelluci is a brave woman blessed with a husband who adores her, as well as a support system of caring friends and neighbors.

“My husband and I have been married 37 years. I was blessed with good health always, then I got breast cancer at the age of 65. When I got breast cancer, I knew he would be there for me.

He’s always been loving and supportive, but I didn’t expect that he would want to be so involved in everything! He made the nurse nervous, he wouldn’t even let her take me to the restroom… he wanted to do it all. He tried to pick me up and he’s 75 years old!

I had a double mastectomy, and after the surgery I looked and felt horrible. He was right there giving me a sponge bath.

We had to sleep in separate rooms because of all of the tubes and bandages. Around the clock, every two hours, my sweet husband checked on me without fail.

I had wonderful neighbors too! They brought over food, and helped clean the house. I was very touched by the support I received from friends and neighbors.

What I would say to those facing breast cancer is that it truly takes a team. You can’t do it alone. You need a lot of support from everyone around you.”

Lillian Crouch is no stranger to breast cancer, for her mother is herself a breast cancer survivor, but even she was exhausted by the demands of the disease. Her husband stepped in to help in any way possible.

“After surgery, I couldn’t take a shower. After a few days, I felt awful, so my husband cut a hole in a trash bag so I could put my head through it to keep my chest dry. Then he washed my hair. This was no easy feat, I have a lot of curly hair but he was determined. It was priceless. It made me feel human again and it was wonderful!”

24-year-old Tiffani Craig has a six month- old baby… and breast cancer. Her mother, a breast cancer survivor, and her husband, who returned from being stationed in Turkey, joined forces with Tiffani’s infectious optimism to become the “A-Team” that helped her get through the ordeal with plenty of humor and grace.

“Christopher helped me by the fact that he embraced everything that was happening. He said I was beautiful without hair and it didn’t matter that I lost my breasts. He said he wasn’t a boob guy, anyway.

I live life as if every day could be the last, so when I found out I had breast cancer, I decided I was going to rock it!

 When I lost all of my hair, I drew on eyebrows, bought false eyelashes and wore awesome make-up. I focused on how fun it was to be able to recreate my look and change it every day if I wanted to and I loved it. Today, my eyebrows haven’t grown back and I still draw them on and I still wear my false eyelashes.

I never wore a wig. It’s too hot! I loved my bald head. I actually have mixed feelings about my hair growing back.

You know, before the cancer, I was vain, so worried about the way I looked… and then I got cancer and realized that even with my bald head and my breasts gone, men still found me attractive and showed me attention. It was so humbling and I learned that who I am within is what makes me a woman. Without my hair or my breasts, people still loved me. I really discovered who I am. I am a diva!”

To read more about Tiffani visit her blog at www.mystoryisthecolorpink.blogspot.com.

For support in Brevard:
The American Cancer Society , (800)-ACS-2345;
Breast Friends of Florida, www.BreastFriends.com/affiliates/florida;
Tepas Breast Center in Melbourne, www.TepasBreastCenter.com