Meet Angela. She lives in Sebastian. Here's her Survivor story.
It began when my father passed away after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. For a year, I flew from Florida to Ohio every month to help care for him. He passed away in my arms on July 28, 2022—a moment that changed me forever.
Just a few months later, in October 2022, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a shock. I had surgery in December, and by February 2023, I was starting radiation. Unfortunately, just days before beginning what would be a grueling two-month treatment process (which included severe radiation burns and a two-week recovery period), my partner of 21 years decided to leave me. He felt my cancer treatment was taking too long, and shortly after, he traveled to the Philippines, where I later discovered he had been communicating with women online. Thankfully, my mother stepped in, flying down to care for me when I needed it most.
During this time, I also lost my job after experiencing a breakdown, and my sister went missing while my mom was here helping me. Fortunately, we found her, but the emotional toll was immense. To top it off, I moved three times within a year, which added to the overwhelming stress.
Today, I live in Sebastian, where I bought a duplex with my mom. After a difficult legal battle to remove a tenant who wasn’t paying rent, we’re finally settled. I’m grateful to say I’m currently cancer-free, despite previous scares with melanoma and colon cancer.
I’m starting over, rebuilding my life, and seeking new employment. But what keeps me going is the belief that my story might help someone else. I want to encourage others to get preventative cancer screenings because, without them, I might not be here today.
I hope my story can resonate with others and maybe even motivate someone to take that crucial step for their health.