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Each month we will be featuring a real person, like YOU! Someone who has a real story to tell. Someone who wants to share a life-changing experience, enlightening moment, or has grown in a way that has brought them to a place where they can say "I'm the best ever me!"

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October 2008

Meet Jennifer Reeves

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR

Here is her story ...

My name is Jennifer Reeves and on September 22nd 2008 I became a 5 year breast cancer survivor. When I was 28 years old I was told that I may not live to see my 30th birthday. I am now 33 years old. People, understandably so, assume that if one beats cancer that anything else life throws at you is a cake walk. I'm here to tell you that, for me personally, that just isn't the case. Not quite sure how successful I'm going to be at articulating my story, but I'll do my best. And away she goes…

My fight came less than 5 years on the heels of my mother's breast cancer battle. On my father's side, I am a third generation survivor. My grandmother died from the disease when she was 50 years old. Soon after breast cancer took her daughter, my aunt Mary, when she was just 30 years old. When I myself faced the same diagnosis, for a minute or two I managed to convince myself that is was all just one cruel joke. Unfortunately, it was all too real.

The type of breast cancer that invaded my body is extremely aggressive. There is little research available and the treatment options are primitive and limited at best. It is called Triple Negative Breast Cancer and the average survival rate is a mere 2 years. Here's a quick playback of the last five years: Cancer, HOSPITAL, double mastectomies, HOSPITAL, a butt load of chemotherapy, HOSPITAL, 7 reconstructive surgeries, HOSPITAL, HOSPITAL, HOSPITAL.

"Breast cancer is the NUMBER ONE cancer killer
in women under the age of 45."

Life didn't stop when I got sick. Bills still needed to be paid and the laundry still needed to be washed. My friends continued to get married, have children and advance in their careers. I, on the other hand, was lost without a paddle. I wish I could say that the only thing cancer took from me were my breasts. It would be clean and somewhat simple if I could tell you that, but it wouldn't be the truth.

There are parts of my journey that at times I myself find hard to believe actually happened. Like the time the chemotherapy spilled out of my vein to the surrounding tissue and caused my skin to bubble like boiling water. Or waking up on the 14th day after my first treatment to all the hair on my body falling out in clumps. Or even just remembering how unbelievably cold a winter in Boston can be when you're bald.

Life After the Cancer

Survivor Jenn

Sometimes I feel like it all happened yesterday, and other times it seems like a lifetime ago. I have another huge cancer hurdle to jump that I have been avoiding. I have to have a genetic test done that I am at a very high risk of testing positive for. It requires some genetic counseling prior to the test and the ramifications of having one of the mutations, called BRAC1 and BRAC2, will set the course for a life I am terrified to face. Among other things, my risk of developing ovarian cancer would be as high as 85% and the likelihood of being able to have children would be slim to none. I have dreamed of having children my whole life and have not been able to face the possibility of never being able to.

"I am working hard to spread my message of hope. "

The years since I was diagnosed have been the hardest years of my life. Yet in spite of everything I know that I am blessed beyond measure. By losing close to everything, the doors have opened to a new world of endless possibilities. I have been given a tremendous gift by way of a fresh, new start. I am learning to live my life on my own terms. I am pursuing careers in the media that I always knew I would be good at but never took the time to pursue. My dream would be to host my own show and bring to light stories that really matter and use that same platform to help others achieve their own dreams. I know in my heart I can achieve anything if I just believe in myself. It won't be easy, but I have learned that the best things in life never are.

Thoughts from Jenn

There is no direct route to achieving the “Best Ever You”. The road is paved with bumps and turns we never see coming. No matter how hard we try to dodge them, they still hit us head on with little to no warning. We are all human, and by default, we are all flawed in our own unique ways. The best of our journeys may very well include the greatest of our falls. Yet it is in the mist of those falls that we discover the strength within us to rise back up. These road blocks are a real and necessary part of our journey. Without them we would never understand how amazingly capable we truly are. All of us. You and me. We are all capable of creating our very own best ever selves.

Cancer kicked me hard and created a domino effect that kept me down for far too long. I am back, however, and stronger than ever. Cliché' as it may seem, I believe I was spared for a reason. I may only be one woman, but I assure you that this one woman can and will make a difference. If you take anything away from my story, please bring along with you a little bit of hope. Hope has held my hand and has never let go. Hope has become one of the few constants in my life, a staple that has kept me together when all else seems to be falling apart.

I am working hard to spread my message of hope. Most people are not aware that young women CAN and DO get breast cancer. In fact, breast cancer is the #1 cancer killer in women under the age of 45. THE NUMBER ONE KILLER.

Appearances & Projects

Below is a quick look at some of the projects I been involved in, appearances I've made and awards I've received:

THE TYRA BANKS SHOW GOOD MORNING AMERICA FOX NEWS MARIE CLAIRE MAGAZINE THE BOSTON HERALD ARTISTS AGAINST CANCER LAKEVILLE NEWS WHY WE WALK	GENERAL MILLS NATIONWIDE AMBASSADOR STAND UP TO CANCER SPECIAL GUEST WOW-WOMAN RECIPIENT 2007 MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER RECIPIENT, “PERFECT 10: BEAUTY BRAINS COMMITMENT” FASHION FOR THE CURE MODEL, BEVERLY HILLS FIRST EVER SPOTLIGHT GUEST ON THE “STUPID CANCER SHOW” FIRST EVER KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR “KEEPING ABREAST”
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL “SUPPORT” MAGAZINE COVER STORY

Chase your dreams!

If I can chase my dreams and help others along the way, you can too. Start today, start this minute! One of my favorite quotes is by Lao-tzu: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. Take that first step! Who knows what amazing things could come of it? If you don't take that initial leap of faith, you may never know.

No matter what you are facing, please remember that HOPE HAPPENS. All you have to do is clear out a tiny spot in your heart and leave a little room for it to grow.