Survivor Diary: Marlene Lynch

I was diagnosed on...
"February 2004."

My immediate reaction was...
"Fear, because of my family's history with cancer. Luckily, my doctors found mine in the early stages."

Now, breast cancer means to me...
"An overwhelming challenge, but I get to say that I’m a survivor."

I'd tell someone recently diagnosed with breast cancer...
"Never give up hope. When I was going through radiation, and my one breast looked terrible, my oncologist reassured me that, even though my boobs would never be twin sisters, they would look like cousins one day. She was right."

I'm inspired by...
"My three daughters, Kristy, Kerri, and Melissa, and the support they give me every day."

I'm pretty fantastic at...
"Raising money and gifts for breast cancer through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer."

The things that keep me strong are...
"My faith and my daughters."

I get stressed out by...
"Circumstances I can’t control."

I unwind by...
"Reading inspirational books and dabbling in amateur photography."

If I were to stand in the middle of the street and scream something, it would be...
"I am a survivor and proud of it!"

I first felt comfortable in my own skin...
"When I finally realized that beauty is skin deep. Going through all of this has taught me that."

Breast cancer is...
"An unfortunate situation that has helped me to make a difference."