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10/15/2013

The thought of having a breast cancer diagnosis can be a shock to anyone who hears the words: You have cancer. For those whose family does not consist of a breast cancer history, the shock may be even more so unexpected.

Such was the case of Colorado Springs resident Erika Mayo de Galicia. Not only was she diagnosed with breast cancer having no previous family history, but she was also diagnosed when she was only 38-years-old.

Mayo de Galicia explained that a breast cancer diagnosis was something she never considered because it was non-existing in her familys medical history. The only health issue that she ever experienced was having a kidney transplant back in 2006.

Mayo de Galicia spoke about the first occurrence that eventually led to her cancer diagnosis saying that she felt a lump. When she first had it checked, she was told that it wasnt anything to be concerned about. A few years later however, she began to feel needle-type pain. That, she said, is when she went in to have a mammogram.

At the beginning, I wasnt sure, said Mayo de Galicia, a telecom broker, about what she was thinking when she was first diagnosed.

Mayo de Galicia, who was diagnosed in December 2011, said her husband, Angel, was with her at the time of her diagnosis. He was in shock she said.

She received medical treatment at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs were she underwent chemotherapy to make the lump smaller. She later received radiation treatment. I was in stage two when they found out about it, she said.

Asked how she kept motivated during this difficult time in her life, Mayo de Galicia automatically speaks about her family. [Angel] has been with me all these years. Not leaving me, she said. My family was always with me. She said her family was completely supportive during the entire time. She said they would all continue to lead their normal daily life doing such things like going shopping.

Mayo de Galicia, who has three sons ages 14,11 and 8, gave her encouraging words like: You know what mom, dont worry about anything. I will take care of everything.

Galicia de Mayo participated in a race alongside her family, despite the fact that she was still going through treatment. She still participates to this day. My whole family was with me. My sister from California flew [in] to support me, she said. Her other sister, who previously lived in South Carolina, was also there.

I never wanted them to see me sick, she said. I was really active.

Mayo de Galicia formed a relationship with the American Cancer Society. She explained that she didnt have medical insurance, but received economic support through the organization. They directed her as to how to finance her treatment. They helped me a lot, she said.

She said they also gave her beauty classes through its Look GoodFeel Better program, that teaches beauty techniques to cancer patients to help them manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment, says the American Cancer Societys website. I took advantage of this, she said laughingly. They give you a lot of wigs that you can use. I actually enjoyed it. I was changing my look.

Through it all she focused on Sept. 21, 2012 the last day of her radiation treatment.

Dont let this situation get you down, Galicia de Mayo says to those who are going through the process. Always be positive. Have faith. There is a reason for everything. God knows what he is doing.

For those young Latinas who may think that a breast cancer diagnosis could not happen to them because of their age, Mayo de Galicia shares some words. I recommend [to] them to actually get going to have their mammogram done, she said. Like in my case, they told me I had breast cancer. I said what?

La Voz asked Mayo de Galicia if she, a survivor, would like to share some final words with our readers. I like to support the American Cancer Society, to have a quality of life, to give to my family. Give back to my husband who is really wonderful with me. He was with me [through] the best and worst. I want to retire him, she said with a smile in her voice.

To learn more about the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-227-2345 and visit www.cancer.org.

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