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Survivor Julie Diaz: There’s sun after the downpour of a breast cancer diagnosis.

The Diagnosis

Just two weeks before my 40th birthday, with my first mammogram coming up, I noticed some physical changes in my breast. My left nipple was inverted. My mammogram was followed by an ultrasound and then a biopsy. That was on a Thursday and the results came back on Tuesday. On Wednesday, June 9, 2021, I was at Lynn Cancer Institute where I was told I had invasive ductal carcinoma. I had never even been in the hospital before except to have my two children, and I was kind of terrified of doctors. But every time I went to the Institute, they did everything to make me feel comfortable. They told me I would be okay. They were confident in my treatment plan and that helped lessen my anxiety.

Sharing the News

I had moved to Florida to take care of my parents, and here we are, them taking care of me. The day I got diagnosed, I sat them down. I held their hands. I told them, “You know how we live in Florida and have a downpour of rain? We are going to go through a torrential downpour, but just know that at the end of the rain, the sun shines and we will get through this.” They have been with me every single day, helping with my daughters, accompanying me to appointments if my husband can’t come, going to the grocery store. My brother has been very supportive, too.

And my husband, Ralphy, is an angel walking this earth. Everyone approaches this differently. We decided not to tell our daughters exactly what it was. They are Look for more inspirational stories in the

Sun Sentinel throughout the month of October. 11 and 7. We just said that mommy was taking some very strong medicine and that my hair was going to fall out. And then later we explained that the doctor said my breasts were too big and they were going to make them smaller. Time will tell if it was the best decision, but we will share more as they get older.

Getting Treatment

Everything moved quickly. I had a lot of additional testing, including genetic testing that came back negative for the BRCA gene. I also had no family history of cancer. I started chemo July 6 and my last chemo was Oct. 23. Surgery was Dec. 6 at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. I did it outpatient. I had a double mastectomy because I wanted to reduce the chance of recurrence, and I had reconstruction at the same time. And I did 30 rounds of radiation. Now I’m on a maintenance medication. I really feel that Lynn Cancer Institute saved my life.

How I Got Through

Everybody on my team was amazing, from the people who check you in at reception to the nurses in the infusion center.

Dr. Hilary Shapiro-Wright, my surgical oncologist, is just a straight-shooter who is clear and concise, and Dr. Angelina The, my oncologist, is a great listener, calming, gentle but thorough. Both are experts in their fields. My company was also super supportive. I joined a support group with Darci, the social worker, through the hospital. It has been an open, safe space for everyone to discuss their journey, how they are feeling and ask questions.

What I Learned

There is a quote I like: “And when you get to where you are going, turn around and help her, too. For there was a time, not long ago, when she was you.” I send a reminder to all my female friends to check their breasts every month, and I feel that if I can help one woman, that’s great. I am a living testament that early detection saves lives.