Theresa Singleton
My Story
 On April 10, 2006, "I was diagnosed at 38" I found out it was stage 2-3 infiltrating ductal carcinoma - meaning it was spreading through my left breast and into my lymph nodes. I was upset and couldn't sleep, knowing I had cancer and had to fight it. On April 12, 2006, I had my left breast mastectomy with lymph nodes removal.
My first round of chemo was every 3 weeks, starting from June through August was 4 treatments of Adrianmyan/Cytoxan (AC), also known as the "RED DEVIL". The side effects hit like a bad case of the flu; I'd feel so fatigue and nauseous. I couldn't do anything but lie down. Even watching TV was too exhausting. That awfulness lasted for several days. By the 2nd dose of chemo, I'd already started losing my hair, and losing your hair is a great loss, that impacts you. I even grieved before I accepted my hair loss. Hair loss is an emotional thing, although there are many other hills to climb. My eyelashes, eyebrows would soon follow. My fingernails and toe nails were affected by the medicines too. August started another round of different chemo medicines (Taxol and Herceptin); this combination of medicines was given to me for 12 weeks. I started feeling healthy and better, no real side effects. I prayed that I would continue with my healthy journal through the remainder of my treatments. I finally completed my chemo therapy treatment in December, 2006.
Breast cancer and chemo therapy is so life changing. I used to associate hair, nails, eyelashes and breasts with beauty, but when I lost them all, I truly felt more beautiful than ever simply because I was ALIVE. I thank God every day that I am winning the battle against cancer.
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Stefanie LaRue
My Story
Stefanie LaRue is a survivor. Stefanie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic (advanced/life threatening) breast cancer. She was only 30 years old was given one year to live.
Almost two years later, Stefanie LaRue is very much alive. After aggressive chemotherapy, surgeries, radiation and physical therapy, Stefanie has emerged as a dedicated activist. She is focused on breast cancer prevention, early detection and education. She specifically concentrates on branding the awareness needed for breast cancer diagnosis/misdiagnosis in younger women under the age of 40 – a diagnosis that was previously unknown and unspoken. She feels as though the days of hearing “You’re too young to have breast cancer” are OVER!!!
She has become nationally known as the young breast cancer warrior, sharing her life in a powerful documentary that won the Los Angeles Reel Women in Film Festival, THE QUIET WAR, presented by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and international documentary A DOG'S LIFE. Television appearances/interviews include CNN, NBC NEWS, FOX 11 NEWS GOOD DAY LA LIVE, Susan G. Komen’s NEWS FOR THE CURE video series, Lifetime, The Hallmark Channel and numerous radio interviews on KLSX 97.1 FM Los Angeles. Print includes INSTYLE Magazine October 2006. Stefanie was also a spokeswoman for the 2007 Revlon Run/Walk campaign and has testified in front of congress on Capital Hill in Washington DC.
She is also a very active and proud member of the Young Survivors Coalition (YSC), Living Beyond Breast Caner (LBBC), a Project Lead Graduate through the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Metastatic Breast Cancer Network (MBCN), San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), and the Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance (LABCA), and Y-ME attending all annual conferences, events, fundraisers and meetings. Stefanie has also been featured as the guest/honorary speaker for Opening, Closing and Luminaria Ceremonies for numerous American Cancer Society Relay for Life events. She volunteers as a patient navigator for several hospitals in Los Angeles guiding young women to case specific information and resources.
Stefanie is a passionate advocate, survivor, cancer sister, educator, daughter, environmentalist, animal activist, sports enthusiasts, mother to her dog Milly, volleyball player, and a leading spokeswoman for a no-nonsense, real life. She is celebrating the woman she feels she was meant to become.
Stefanie, and women like her, are the new faces and voices of breast cancer.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON STEFANIE AND HER STORY, LOG ONTO www.myspace.com/cancerwarrior Or call: 310-930-2445
Email: stefanie@laruefoundation.com
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