My story begins sometime around November 2004 - the first time I felt a teeny tiny little bump in my right breast. "But I'm only 27 years old," I would tell myself daily, "I'm sure it's nothing. I feel fine. I work out; I'm in shape. I'm in an exciting time in my accounting career, having just passed my CPA exam and working on a major accounting project. I have a wonderful boyfriend, and I'm way too young to have cancer - right?"
Fast forward to February 2006.
I flew to Texas to visit my then-boyfriend (now husband) for Valentine's Day. We decided to head to the beach at South Padre Island. I will never forget the feeling I felt when I put my swim suit on and looked in the mirror before heading out. I literally started shaking and crying. I immediately knew something was wrong. My teeny tiny little lump had grown from the size of a tiny little pea to the size of a strawberry. Two days later I flew home and told my mother immediately.
The very next morning, I called my doctor's office. I asked them to be scheduled for a mammogram. They asked, "How old are you honey? No, come in and we'll examine you first." They got me in and sure enough they felt what I felt. Off to get a mammogram I went. I was feeling pretty brave still - worried, but brave - so I went to the mammogram by myself. With every second that I waited for the results and every time another woman came and went that had arrived after me, I knew my greatest fear from the first day back in November 2004 was happening. "Alma," the nurse called. I stood up. She said to me, "You need to go immediately across the street to your doctor's office. Do not go home, do not pass go, go straight there." She gave me a big hug (the "you have cancer and I want to give you a hug" hug).
So I still hadn't called my mom at this point, and again, I followed the nurse's orders and went directly to my doctor's office all alone, still being brave. They called me back, sat me down, and said, "We think you have cancer." Now the funny thing is, as scared as I had always been to hear those words, I wasn't worried. Being the positive person I am (and try to be) I said "OK" with a smile. They informed me of the next steps, I scheduled my appointments, went home, and had to give my family the scary news - which, by the way, was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life.
I went in for a biopsy and on March 7, 2006, I was officially diagnosed with breast cancer. A series of tests and exams followed, including having to go to a fertility doctor to discuss my options in case I would want to take precautions to ensure I might eventually have children one day. On March 16, 2006 I had a single mastectomy and I was officially diagnosed as having stage 2B breast cancer. My oncologist and many doctors told me just how lucky I was. Lucky to be here, lucky it hadn't spread (anywhere). I had a "Gentle Giant" per my oncologist's word.
Being a young breast cancer patient (28 when I was diagnosed), I was in for a long journey. In fact, I was the youngest breast cancer patient my oncologist had ever had (at the time). I underwent six chemotherapy treatments and I followed that by six weeks of daily radiation. Due to my young age, and large tumor, I received the strongest chemotherapy regimen possible every three weeks. It would literally knock me down for a week straight, and the following two weeks in between treatments I spent regaining my energy and appetite and recouping. In the end, I took an eight-month leave of absence from work to focus on my battle. Amongst the chemotherapy and radiation, I also had to go through the stages of reconstructive surgery, which involved bi-weekly doctor's visits to expand my skin for a permanent implant.
I lost my hair shortly before the second round of chemotherapy treatment. Seeing your hair fall out in clumps is quite devastating. But I knew that was just part of this journey, and I embraced it. In fact I embraced every part of the journey. I never wore a wig, I never broke down emotionally, and I looked at this time in my life as an opportunity to slow down, spend time with family and friends (especially my grandparents), and be thankful for another day.
I've always been a relatively positive person, and I maintained my optimism throughout my road to recovery. I knew from the beginning that everything was going to be ok. I had faith, I had an amazing support system (my angels flying my wings) and I was thinking positive. How could I not? The outpour of cards, visitors, gifts, emails, prayers and kindness was very moving and so beautiful.
On April 15, 2006 I got engaged. We were married on August 4, 2007 in Mexico and had the most beautiful celebration with 400 family and friends. Both of us really love children and there was nothing more that I wanted than to be a mother. But we had to wait five years to try and have children due to being on cancer medication. Back in March 2006 when I was first informed of having cancer, I had decided to forego all fertility treatments. I decided to focus on beating my cancer, and ultimately had faith that if God wanted to bless us with children he would.
On December 29, 2012 we were blessed with a daughter and on November 28, 2013, a baby boy. God truly is great. Not only was I blessed with my life, but also I have now given life to two beautiful, healthy children. I am truly one lucky and blessed woman.
I've only shared my story to a larger audience once, and when I saw the message from Market America, I couldn't have been happier for the opportunity to share it with you. I truly believe that we all have a purpose in life. I have always loved helping others and more than ever, I believe that is my purpose here in life. I am here to share my story of survival and to give to hope to women battling cancer, especially those in their childbearing years. You can and will survive, and for those women who want to have children one day after cancer, it is possible. Do not lose hope.
I am actually very new to Market America. I just found this amazing company in June of this year. As I mentioned above, I feel my purpose here in life is to help others. I feel this company is just another way of allowing me to help others achieve their dreams, whatever they may be, and to feel beautiful on the inside and out with the amazing line of products.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story and to give hope to other women. We will win this battle together!
Faith, hope, and love
Alma V Guzman
