Below is the email that I wrote to my family, friends, and coworkers regarding my breast cancer diagnosis.  My parents, husband, and a few close friends knew that I had various appointments to possibly confirm a breast cancer diagnosis.
February 20, 2017
Dear Friends and Family,
The Anchor has meant many things to me throughout various points in my life. In college, I joined a sorority and our symbol was The Anchor. The Anchor was adopted by Delta Gamma in 1877 and stands for the age-old symbol of HOPE. Now I must have HOPE and overcome breast cancer. For those of you that do not know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Ground Hog Day (February 2nd). I had my first mammogram at the age of 36 before my doctor recommended that I have it, but I had friends that were diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s. So needless to say, my baseline mammogram detected breast cancer after various mammograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies. For those of you that are around my age, please get a mammogram to get your baseline. As of now, I am considered Stage 0, but that can change depending on what they find in my lymph nodes. I am going to be having surgery at MD Anderson on March 21st. If the lymph nodes are an area of concern, I will receive chemotherapy and hormone therapy.Â
Anchored in HOPE,
JW
Anchored in HOPE 