(to the LBC community about this years Warrior)

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My name is Tena Cappelli and I am 54 years young. I’ve lived in the area my entire life, graduating from Candor High School in 1988. I was a single mom to a daughter who is now married. She has blessed me with 3 beautiful granddaughters who call me GiGi. I have been an UHS radiological tech for the past 18 years and have been recently working towards my CT tech license. After going for a routine mammogram in March, I was called back for additional imaging. A suspicious spot was found. The next 2 weeks were a whirlwind of biopsies, imaging, genetic and hormone testing. The BRCA gene was negative, however my hormones came back positive for Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stage 1.

 

It came as a complete shock seeing as I’ve never had problems in the past. After discussing all my treatment options with my daughter, I felt the best option would be a bilateral full mastectomy with reconstruction. I feel it’s the best chance to successfully remove all of the cancer and prevent procedures down the road. My surgery was done on May 30th. I’m healing nicely from the double mastectomy, however the pathology report came back and my tumor was bigger than we thought before surgery. The oncologist believes that because of how aggressive it is, it might have grown between the time of my testing and the surgery. Immunotherapy and 25 rounds of chemotherapy are the steps we are currently taking. There is a possibility that I may have radiation as well when I’m through with chemo. I started my treatments on July 1st. It’s been very hard so far. The nausea is awful. In one whole week I was only able to keep down a few saltine crackers and half of a protein drink.

 

I have a long road ahead of me, but I know with the support of my family, friends, and community I WILL get through this. Thank you to Lick Breast Cancer for making me this year’s warrior. I am grateful and honored.

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