A Daily Miracle started as a blog on the Chicago Tribune’s ChicagoNow hyperlocal blog site in 2012. When ChicagoNow shut down in 2022, the whole blog moved over here!
In September 2019, my twin sister, Stephanie, and I were diagnosed with breast cancer within 3 weeks of each other, at age 30. We both chose to be treated for our breast cancer(s) at Mayo Clinic’s Breast Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and are so grateful we’ve been able to work with some of the best doctors in the world. Our baby sister is a “previvor” going through preventative screenings at Mayo every 6 months.
We’ve been through all kinds of breast cancer biopsies, diagnoses, treatments, and surgeries. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with breast cancer recently, this site has some guideposts to hopefully help encourage you and illuminate your journey!
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Guideposts
Preventative screening & diagnoses
Mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, clinical and self exams, MRI biopsies, ultrasound-guided biopsies, stereotactic core needle biopsies
Surgery
Double mastectomy with direct-to-implant reconstruction; implant exchange
Chemotherapy & endocrine therapy
TCHP; TDM-1/Kadcyla; Tamoxifen
Survivorship
Motherhood, formula feeding, remission, clinical and self exams, (more) biopsies, nutrition, mental health, counseling, community, faith, family, friends, exercise
Who We Are
Stephanie
Steph was diagnosed with Stage 2A HER2+ breast cancer in September 2019.
Jennifer
Jennifer is our baby sister and a “previvor” who has not been diagnosed with breast cancer. Because we are all BRCA negative, Jennifer goes through intensive preventative screenings every 6 months.
Allison / AJ
Allison was diagnosed with Stage 0 DCIS on both sides of her chest in September 2019.
Jon / Jane
Our dad, Jon, is an American Cancer Society Real Men Wear Pink co-chair and ambassador. Learn more about Jon’s campaign and donate at this link! Our mom, Jane, is a 24+ year breast cancer survivor diagnosed with DCIS just like me!
Encouraging Bible Verses
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4