FAMILY: Husband, Karl; daughter, Elizabeth, 13; and twins son Hagan and daughter Caroline, 11

OCCUPATION: Lead front desk specialist, Pediatric Partners

DIAGNOSED: April 1996. My surgery was on May 8, 1996, my third wedding anniversary.

WHAT HELPED: My mother, father and my husband were my inspirations.

OUTLOOK: It has been 12 years and my doctors say I am cured. Praise God. I have not seen an oncologist in years but continue to have regular checkups with my doctor and of course my yearly mammogram. Breast cancer affects everyone, regardless of age ... it is not the old-lady disease we thought it was.

ADVICE: Cancer is not a death sentence; life does go on. Make the best of it while you can. The better your outlook on life, the better you will handle treatment.

PERSONAL: I was 29 years old when I was diagnosed. My dad had just had open-heart surgery and my oldest child was 15 months old. We had just bought our first home and, of course, bad news was not what we needed to hear. I have six sisters and no family history of breast cancer. I underwent a modified radical mastectomy and then six rounds of chemo followed by 28 consecutive days of radiation. Once I finished, I found out I was pregnant. After my first sonogram, I was told I was expecting twins. My oldest daughter is 13 now and the twins are 11. They are my rock. I know I have to be here for them.

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH