"Knowledge is power, and CBF has given me the tools to advocate for myself with my medical team, manage treatment side effects, and navigate this journey with more confidence."
Ana Emmet, a dedicated mother of four and a physical therapist in Charlotte, found herself facing a stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) diagnosis in 2022. Her journey—including two kinds of chemotherapy, 30 rounds of radiation, and reconstructive surgery—has been marked by resilience and unwavering family support.
Ana shares, “My emotions have varied from absolute shock, to acceptance of the diagnosis, to determination not to let cancer stop me from being there for my kids. Through the 18 months of treatment, I never missed one of my kids’ games, and I tried to be present for my oldest child’s senior year. There were many hard days, but my family has helped me through.”
Ana’s resiliency was also bolstered by Carolina Breast Friends (CBF). She shares, "From the moment I walked into The Pink House, it felt like a warm hug from a friend. The staff understood my struggle and were there to help in whatever way they could."
CBF has since become a pivotal source of comfort and empowerment for Ana. She says, “During my treatment, I participated in virtual event. I also found a wealth of knowledge on CBF’s YouTube channel, covering topics such as nutrition and tests to monitor for TNBC reoccurrence. The amount of information that CBF provides to Survivors and Thrivers is invaluable.”
Ana continues, "Knowledge is power, and CBF has given me the tools to advocate for myself with my medical team, manage treatment side effects, and navigate this journey with more confidence."
Beyond practical support, CBF has provided emotional support through events like Survivor & Thriver Night, where Ana recently brought her twin 12-year-old daughters to volunteer. "I wanted them to see breast cancer in a different light," Ana explains. "They loved meeting women who had overcome multiple battles with breast cancer and seeing so many women just having a great time and living life to the fullest It was a wonderful experience for all three of us."
As Ana continues her recovery and begins establishing a solo physical therapy practice focusing on breast cancer rehabilitation, she remains deeply grateful for the role CBF is playing in her life.