Dena
Dena has two grown children, Tyler (31) and Ashley (27) and four grandchildren who are her joy. Unfortunately she lost her oldest son, Adam, in 2016. Another very important person in Dena’s life is her boyfriend of five years, Mike, who accompanied her to surgery and every chemo. Dena works at Summa Hospital in bariatrics, and enjoys gardening crafts, and spending time with her family.
In November, 2020 Dena was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer after a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy. She underwent a full right mastectomy with removal of her lymph nodes.
Originally she had hoped that the reconstruction could be done at the same time as the mastectomy, but because of COVID, this could not be done. One year after her chemo and radiation treatments she underwent unilateral DIEP reconstruction in 2022 and a reduction for left breast symmetry in March 2024 with Dr. Shayda Mirhaidari. “Dr. Mirhaidari has been wonderful, I can’t thank her enough!”
After a long journey, Dena is happy with her results. She advises other women facing a cancer diagnosis that “It is a very long journey, but you are not alone. You have strength you have not tapped into yet. Be easy on yourself, give yourself grace. It’s OK to be sad, scared, angry, exhausted, and it’s OK to grieve what you have lost. There’s a rainbow at the end of your storm.”
Dena is walking the Pink Runway to enjoy this chance to share stories, and to celebrate each other’s victories over breast cancer. “When my journey began, I never imagined I would end up feeling as good as I do now. I went from being very scared and uncertain of my future to feeling positive, and almost strengthened from my past four year. I credit Dr. Mirhaidari for much of this – she and all the members of my care team have brought me this far! I am very grateful for the wonderful care I have received.”