What It's Like to Have Breast Cancer

It sucks, it hurts, it's not fair. It changes your perspective. It makes you furious, weak, strong, grateful, and sometimes all of the above.

Photo by Avery Powell

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Tracie DeSpirito, Age 43

People would say, "You're so brave," but there was nothing brave about it. I have three young children and there's no other option than to fight. I'm no stronger or braver than the average person. My kids are my driving force. My husband didn't handle it as well as I did. He's still pretty angry. But at the end of the day, for me, staying positive is 95 percent of the battle. This isn't going to bring me down.

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