Marlen Acosta-Garcia counsels to keep your regular screening appointments

The Diagnosis

I went for my mammogram at age 40 as recommended.

But then life got busy. When we moved back to Miami from Orlando, I felt it was time to take my health seriously. When my mammogram showed something, I had an ultrasound and then a biopsy. I was diagnosed with triple-negative stage 1 breast cancer in my left breast. I was very lucky it was caught early, but I honestly feel that if I’d been doing my yearly mammograms, I would have found this even earlier and probably could have avoided chemo.

Sharing the News

From the moment the doctor told me, “You have cancer,”

I was like, “Let’s go, let’s start.” I sat down and talked to my husband. I told my boys — who range in age from 14 to 26 — that I would have treatment.

Dr. Lauren Carcas, my oncologist, sat with my boys and asked if they had any questions. That was so awesome. She is just so down to Earth. She doesn’t sugarcoat the news, but she takes her time to explain everything and is very reassuring and calm.

Getting Treatment

I began chemo on Sept. 19, 2019. I had 16 sessions, once a week. I never missed a day of work. I teach in the law magnet program at Barbara Goleman Senior High, where my husband also. Thankfully, I had a full response to chemotherapy, and I was able to have a lumpectomy. I had surgery and lymph node removal on Feb. 18, 2020. That was followed by 32 rounds of radiation. Now I’m taking advantage of the Survivorship Program at Miami Cancer Institute. I am participating in a weight-loss program and meet with a nutritionist weekly. I also exercise twice a week with an oncology exercise physiologist.

How I Got Through

I went to church and prayed a lot. I am grateful that I have family and friends who have been very supportive. I never went to an appointment alone. My coworkers and my students and their parents have also been great. Parents did not send their kids to school sick. The flu went around but never came to my classroom and the same with COVID-19.

What I Learned

Sometimes we are scared of the unknown. Do not delay your mammogram. And if you are diagnosed with cancer, know that it is not the end of the world. Stay positive.

“I am grateful that I have family and friends who have been very supportive. I never went to an appointment alone”