Amanda

Amanda has been with her husband Scott since she was 17 – 22 years now – and they recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary in September. Together they have two boys, ages 16 and 11. Amanda enjoys watching their football and soccer games, reading, shopping, gardening and being outside – mostly at the beach!

In March 2024 she found a lump in her left breast while doing her monthly self-exam. At 37, and with no family history of breast cancer, Amanda was in denial. She was ultimately diagnosed with Stage 2A cancer, HER2 positive, and her genetic testing came back positive for the CHEK2 gene mutation. It had not spread to any lymph nodes yet. Amanda was determined to do whatever necessary to decrease the chances of breast cancer returning.

She began chemo and immunotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy with an immediate direct reconstruction with Dr. Shayda Mirhaidari. She underwent immunotherapy infusions every three weeks for a full year.

“Dr. Mirhaidari was exactly what I needed,” Amanda shared. “She talked me through all the options and gave the best ‘tough love’ that I needed. All of the staff was welcoming and made me feel relaxed and beautiful at every appointment. They all made this part of my journey so much easier.” She is happy with her decision and learning to love her new self. “If cancer was taking my old breasts, I’m thankful for a new and improved pair!” she says.

Amanda tells other women to discuss all your options with your doctors and to give yourself lots of grace and patience with healing. Healing – both physically and emotionally – takes time. Staying positive is half the battle. “I still have days when I struggle mentally with all that has happened the last year, and going through the grieving process which I think is normal.”

Amanda chose to walk the Pink Runway to share her journey and to step out of her comfort zone again. She celebrates her strength at overcoming all the hard days to be a survivor.

“I want to thank my family for being with me every step of the way, and my friends for always encouraging me and keeping me laughing,” Amanda shared. “My tribe at work were the best cheerleaders. They helped name some of my wigs and gave them different personalities – they kept some fun in a scary experience. Somewhere along the way they decided cancer was the “Mean Girl” that we didn’t want with us and started wearing pink on Wednesdays. We still do! Every step of the cancer treatment process was something new. This is too, but it makes it feel full circle to be able to share that I beat it!”