TAMMY FREEMAN
FAMILY: Three children: Bryce, 26, Ashley, 23, and Max, 19
OCCUPATION: Technical trainer, Ricoh Business Solutions
DIAGNOSED: January 2008
WHAT HELPED: My brother and his family here in Augusta, my sweet sisters and parents in Florida and Tennessee and wonderful friends all over. A good sense of humor helped on those days when I thought it couldn't get much worse. Yoga and Pilates classes at the Y were so beneficial for the mind-body healing connection. Mostly what helps is knowing so many people care and are praying for me. It's a very powerful thing.
OUTLOOK: The morning I found out I would have to have a mastectomy, I was scheduled to do work-related training at the VA Hospital. As I walked through those doors trying desperately to keep it together, I thought it was the end of the world for me but very quickly came face to face with the reality that compared to others, my problem is very small. I am relatively new at being a survivor and still have some serious things ahead but believe that with each trial we face we really have just two choices: We can fight or we can cave. I'm not ready to give up yet. I'm looking forward to each and every new day for many years to come.
ADVICE: Early detection is very important. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, live fully, and cherish this life.
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Comments
For those of you who don't know Tammy, she is an amazing woman. If she had not come to me and told me herself, I never would have known anything was wrong. She has the most wonderful personality and sense of humor. She never misses a beat. She is an inspiration to all women - no matter what the circumstance.
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