MY LIFE Matters - Spring 2024 - 31

STRENGTH, ADVOCACY, AND FAMILY Becoming Empowered
The Marvin Family
ican community. During my initial diagnosis, I had scheduled
an appointment with concern over a lump in my left breast. The
doctor performed a palpable exam of my dense breasts, and the
radiology team marked the spot and conducted a mammogram
and ultrasound before I was sent away with a fluid-filled cyst.
Knowing my body, and noticing the lump was getting larger and
not moving, something urged me to call my doctor. I believe this
was God. When they scheduled a fine needle aspiration (FNA)
revealing stage I cancer, I heard the three words that changed
my life forever: " You have cancer. " Six courses of chemotherapy
ensued along with seven and a half weeks of radiation, effectively
" curing me " of that first breast cancer diagnosis. Had I not advocated
for myself and revisited the doctor three months after that
first appointment, I simply would not be here today.
I received extensive treatment at 28 years of age without knowing
what impact it would have on me becoming a mom. I was a
single woman who desperately hoped to have children one day,
but I was faced with the reality that chemotherapy may result in
early menopause before my dream could reach fruition. I recall
visiting a fertility specialist and thinking about the possibilities.
At the time they were not freezing eggs, only embryos. I remember
so clearly talking to my parents and family and telling them I'm
going to leave this in God's hands. Three short years later I had
genetic testing at the urging of my oncologist, which revealed a
BRCA1 mutation. At that point, I had a double mastectomy to
decrease the probability of having cancer again. I married the
following year in 2006, had a daughter, Kaelyn, in 2007, and then
From left to right: Dany Habr, Previous Pfizer Global Oncology CMAO; Angela Riemer,
VP, Oncology Global Policy & Public Affairs; Katrina M. Johnson, Director, Advocacy &
Professional Relations; Marianne Gandee, VP, U.S. Oncology Patient Solutions & Engagement
Lead; Rob Ruckman, Director, Advocacy & Professional Relations; Hanna Kebede, Senior
Healthcare Representative
a son, Gavin, in 2008. These two are the most amazing blessings
in my life, and they keep me grounded every day in the beauty of
love, pride, and sheer gratitude.
In 2015, I found a lump on my right breast, and although the
initial reaction from my medical team was that this was likely
nothing to worry about, my intuition told me something different.
I was sent for a core biopsy, and resultantly heard those three words
again, " You have cancer. " There was a pocket of breast tissue that
allowed a 0.4 cm tumor to grow, stage I TNBC, so a lumpectomy
followed. My Dad was with me during the appointment with the
oncologist, where we were told there was no treatment protocol
for me. I had already removed the breast tissue, and now it was up
to me whether I wanted to undergo chemotherapy and radiation,
and understandably I opted against it. I don't know many who
would sign up for these two treatment modalities if not recommended
by their doctor. One year later, I heard those three words
yet again . . . another tumor in the same spot on my right breast,
which was surgically removed. This time, I received four courses
of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation on the right side. The
diagnosis of melanoma two different times was on my lower left
leg, one in the front and one in the back, one year apart. I have
not had another diagnosis since 2020, but I am regularly following
My Mom has helped me see that through clean and
healthy living and my own research, I can prevent
many ailments. I am so grateful for this information, and I
couldn't ask for a better Mom. Her strength inspires
me, and my life would not be as fulfilling without
her in it.
MY LIFE MATTERS
EMPOWERED | SPRING 2024
31
MY LIFE Matters - Spring 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MY LIFE Matters - Spring 2024
