LORI REBECCA RASBERRY
Survivor Since:
August 2007
Home Town:
Lubbock
Age: 28
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales Rep
Family: Parents Karen and John Rasberry; Sister AmyAnne Rasberry Matthias
Hobbies: Yoga, working out, hiking or anything that's fun & adventurous!
"Today I am joyous about my future because I have the best support from my family and friends that has blessed my life!"
'Too Young for Breast Cancer'
Cancer isn't picky; it chooses anybody it wants. And unfortunately, nobody can escape from it - young or old. Everyone who deals with it in his or her life has a unique experience to share. My story is different from many other stories of those who've been diagnosed with breast cancer, but thereís a common ground between all that have been through it: we would never want anyone we care about - or even a stranger ñ to have to go through what we've been through. So with that said, my experience has ignited in me a personal calling to educate everyone I can about this disease and how age doesn't protect you from it.
I found a lump in my breast one day and requested a mammogram from the OB/GYN I was using at the time. She said I was too young and didnít need to get a mammogram. She told me that she starts mammograms on her patients when they turn 40, and that I had nothing to worry about. Well, she was wrong. Eight months later, the lump Iíd found was still getting bigger, and my right breast was loosing its shape.
While talking with a friend, I shared my concerns with her and she encouraged me to get a second opinion from another doctor. So that's exactly what I did. Four days after that appointment, I received the phone call that no one ever thinks will come. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on April 4, 2007, when I was 26 years old. Yes, thatís right - 26.
I know my young age is shocking, because it was shocking for me when the doctor told me the news. I thought, how can this be? I'm only 26, in great health and I work out all the time. I was definitely not your typical breast cancer patient, but like I said before, cancer isnít picky.
So with the wonderful support of my family and friends, I started on my journey through surviving cancer. I had six rounds of the most aggressive chemotherapy for breast cancer, then a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery followed by six weeks of radiation. Itís now been more than a year since my diagnosis, and my life is back to normal - mostly.
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