Mandy

Mandy has been married for 18 years to her husband Nathan, and together they have two teenage sons who are very active in football and basketball and keep them busy!  She is a senior graphic designer for Aultman Hospital, and loves cheering her boys on, traveling, exercising, yoga, reading, and outdoor activities – especially kayaking.

Mandy discovered her cancer through her routine yearly mammogram. She was fortunate that it was caught so early, as it was a Stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ on both sides. She underwent a double mastectomy, with seven lymph nodes removed.  She hoped her reconstruction would help her to look as normal as possible – “just like me” – and once she learned the DIEP Flap was an option, she chose that surgery with “the dream team of Dr. Shayda Mirhaidari and Dr. Daniel Yoho.”

She urges women facing a breast cancer diagnosis to research their options, as only you know your body. Stay positive, trust in the process and in your own strength. She believes she had such a favorable recovery due to strength training prior, a strong faith during, and a rally of supporters throughout!

Mandy chose to walk The Pink Runway to slam the door shut on cancer, and to celebrate with other survivors, her family, and friends.  She is grateful for the exceptional care she received. “Dr. Mirhaidari is gifted in her skills, compassionate, thoughtful, and committed. I was never treated as just a patient. She made me feel so important, heard, and valued. I was also fortunate enough to be under the care of Dr. Yoho, who is also a thorough, caring, and skilled surgeon. I am very honored to be here tonight!”