As a young child I knew I would have problems with cancer. My grandmother died of ovarian cancer when my mother was only eight years old, and my mother has had cervical cancer and skin cancer. When I was 24 I had laser surgery for cervical cancer.

I am 43 years young now and was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2011. I have what they call BRAC1 which can cause several different cancers, like colon and ovarian cancer, so I have a ride ahead of me. In December I had my first surgery, a bilateral mastectomy. I made the decision because although I only had cancer in my right breast, I was told I would have to have surgery on the other breast in five years. I was in the hospital two days. I was scared but my friends and family were all behind me and were a great support. I am going through chemo now with six treatments, and after that I will undergo radiation. I have done well on the chemo, with just a couple of days of being weak and some hot flashes. I have two more surgeries ahead. I have to have a radical hysterectomy and then reconstruction. This has been a real eye opener because BRCA1 is hereditary and now I am worried about my younger sister. Even my son can get breast cancer, along with the other types of cancer. I just pray they are not affected and live long, cancer free lives.

Sherri Domiano
Madisonville, TN