Survivor Diary: Marie McNamara

I was diagnosed...
"The first time was in the spring of 2008. The doctors referred to it as "baby cancer," or "Stage 0," because it was detected so incredibly early. The second time was in the spring of 2011."

My immediate reaction was...
"The first time, I felt totally overwhelmed and frightened. I was a single mom with two boys, and I wasn’t in a relationship. I didn’t even know how much information to share with my children. So, I kept it all to myself. The second time, I was four months away from get married, and it was easier, because I had my fiancé to lean on."

Now, breast cancer means to me...
"Being stressed out, but having someone there to go to every doctor's appointment and every chemo session has really helped keep me strong."

I'd tell someone recently diagnosed with breast cancer to...
"Interview your doctors. I had limited options because of my insurance plan, and I went ahead and spoke to everyone I could. There were rude doctors and decent doctors, but you might be surprised whom you find. The last doctor I visited had a dingy office, but I connected with him. My husband pointed out that his office was lackluster because he’s the guy that worked with insurance companies and isn’t making a fortune. Picking him was the best thing I ever did with my treatment."

The things that keep me strong are...
"Fighting for my kids, and having faith that God gave me the strength to do everything I need to do."

I spend my time...
"Fixing up my house. I'm so emotionally connected to the renovation projects we’re doing that my husband jokes I’ll have trouble leaving when we sell it."

Tomorrow will...
"Be another day. I think of cancer like having a mess in the basement. You pour some bleach on it to clean it up, and after it's disinfected, you can start putting things back."

Breast cancer is...
"Terrifying. I have never had surgery before this. It wasn't until the day before my operation that I came to terms with my diagnosis, let go, and told myself I can do this."