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Healthy Inside + Out

Five women share their amazing stories of surviving breast cancer.

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Fort Wayne, Indiana (June 2, 2006) — At different places along life’s journey, these women may not share the same values, thoughts or goals. But, they all have one thing in common: they are all breast cancer survivors. Their stories provide encouragement to breast cancer patients, their families and friends. These women have opened their hearts and shared their insights. They are living proof that there is hope for leaving breast cancer in the past.

Tammy Bunsold

Age: 41
Currently undergoing radiation

“The biggest challenge for me is that the chemotherapy affected my short term memory. By the time I get to the store, I forget what I am there to buy,” says Tammy. Having just finished chemotherapy, Tammy is currently undergoing radiation, “Every day is a challenge for me. It’s no longer about what am I going to do a year from now. It’s about what am I going to do today.”

Tammy says that having to ask others for help was also hard for her. “I have always been pretty independent, and I’ve had to start relying on other people for simple things like driving. Losing my independence was hard.” Tammy says, “Having breast cancer has taught me to open up and let others help me.”

Joan Bond

Age: 68
Survivor for 20 years

“Having breast cancer was not something that was openly discussed more than 20 years ago – when I had my first mastectomy. Now, I’m happy to be able to finally share my experience,” says Joan. She adds that it’s important to have annual mammograms and know your body; “I lived with what both my doctor and I thought was ‘an irritation from my underwire bra’ for seven months before I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”

“Today, all these years later, I am sure of one thing: Research is the key! Research saves lives.”

JoAnn Carroll

Age: 54
Survivor for 6 months

“Don’t let cancer consume you. Don’t let cancer be your identity,” is JoAnn’s advice. “I lived my life as normally as I could as I was going through chemotherapy. I think that really helped me to be strong. Now, I can tell others in treatment that soon, you will put this behind you.

Liz Seculoff

Age: 38
Survivor for 5 years

“Just after my son turned a week old, I received a call saying I had cancer. I tried to ignore the look of fear from family and friends when they heard the news for the first time. I asked not to be told what the doctors thought my chances for survival were. I think that was the best decision I made.”

“My son became stronger as the chemo made me weaker,” Liz says, recalling how she would run around the house with her daughter before every treatment, playing and picking her up, because she knew that the chemo would sap her energy.

“I am truly fortunate. I’ve had lots of support from family and friends. I found comfort in my faith and in wonderful organizations like the Vera Bradley Foundation.”

Heidi Floyd

Age: 39
Survivor for 1 year

“Trying to imagine my three girls without me there to tie their shoes, pour their milk and sing them
goodnight songs,” was the hardest part for Heidi upon learning she had breast cancer two and a half years ago. Shortly after her diagnosis, she realized that she could either “wake up and praise the Lord or sink into depression.” While looking at her beautiful daughters, she decided that depression wasn’t an option.

Heidi now has four children! Noah, who she proudly refers to as her “little miracle baby,” was born just three weeks after chemotherapy ended. She followed up with radiation, and now Heidi and Noah are both happy and healthy!

Video: See more of Heidi Floyd's story of surviving breast cancer during pregnancy. Watch »