I endured 6 rounds of chemo. As soon as I was finished with treatment in November of 2011, I had a strong desire to give back and began volunteering at two hospitals. At this time I also went on an estrogen blocker that I will have to be on for 10 years. It makes me gain weight and has intensified the hot flashes, but I am alive.

I got involved with support groups and began to educate myself almost from day one. The bond I have to this day with those women is unique and powerful.

I have had plastic surgery, liposuction, fat grafting and skin grafting. After six surgeries I am now fully reconstructed.

Well, it was finally time to get back to work, but I didn't want to go back to just any job. I wanted to work in a field where I was making a difference and I loved being in a hospital setting while I was volunteering. So I went back to school at the age of 52 to become a medical office administrator.

The road was difficult and filled with many challenges, but I wouldn't change a single day of my journey because of where it has brought me. I now work in The Breast Center at Orange Coast Memorial, am on two survivor advisory committees for Komen OC and am also on the cancer committee at OC Memorial.

I have many scars, but they are my battle wounds and I intend to fight so that more awareness is brought to this horrible disease. My hope for the future is that less toxic treatments will become available. Better yet, that cancer will be eliminated completely.

My advice for women who are concerned about getting breast cancer is this; get your annual mammograms, do your breast self-exams and get to know your body. Do not ignore any changes in your breasts, no matter how young or old you may be. If you have dense breasts, inquire about further options.

~ Donna Hartman ~

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