Nuestras Historias
Nuestras Historias
Nuestras Historias: Mujeres Hispanas Sobreviviendo el Cáncer del Seno (Our Stories: Hispanic Women Surviving Breast Cancer) is a booklet contains English/Spanish essays by 26 Latina cancer survivors from South Texas.
The booklet was produced in 2004 by Redes En Acción, a national Latino cancer research network funded by the National Cancer Institute and based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the UT Health San Antonio.
Nuestras Historias: 10th Anniversary
For the booklet’s 10th anniversary in 2014, we revisited the stories of 16 of these Latina cancer survivors.
They share new, courageous stories about the importance of cancer screening and that Latinas can not only survive cancer, but thrive in the workplace, school, home, and family.
Read and watch some of their stories below!
Nuestras Historias: Latina Cancer Survivor Stories 10 Years Later
Gloria Diaz
I thank God every day for giving me a second chance to live life to its fullest. May God bless each and every one who is going through this same experience.
[Nuestras Historias] impacted my life by reminding me how grateful I was to conquer this battle and made me live life to the fullest every day since then.
Bea Vasquez
My advice is to trust in the Lord and modern medicine, and never accept the word cancer in your life. We have endured the test, the pain, and have joined the club of survivors.
I have no challenges. I do not entertain cancer or any other illness. I trust in God’s will.
Irene Maldonado
Throughout it all, I knew I was exactly where God intended me to be. I was very much aware that all of my angels were there to help me.
Everyone’s cancer is different. Don’t make everyone’s story your own. Stay focused and try to concentrate on your next appointment only.
Joan Trevino Lawhon
We can freeze and let the disease consume us, or we can fight. My choice was to fight.
Cancer was a gift. It reinforced my faith. It has allowed me, in many ways, to reach out to other women and men and share my story of survivorship.
Yolanda Molina
To me, heroes are those who fight without training against an enemy they cannot see.
Becoming a survivor gives you a new perspective on life…the things I do in life now is because they make me happy, I enjoy the challenge, the outcome and amazing myself and others. I’m not scared to try or make things.
Tanya Enriquez
I made a promise that I would do everything to make young women aware of this disease and the importance of early detection.
Remember this is a fight for YOUR life: fight hard and smart. And remember, this hurdle is temporary and you WILL come out stronger in the end and a NEW and better YOU.
Tammy Ruiz
My husband and six children were my strength. There was always someone to love, accompany, and encourage me.
I was truly was scared…until I started learning about “cancer” and its treatment, surgeries, and the awesome help by medical professionals and volunteers at the Mays Cancer Center.
Sylvia Fernandez
The past is history, the future is a mystery. All we have is the present, which is a gift from the Creator.
Although we are never ready for a cancer diagnosis and the subsequent treatment…to me it was a gift that continues to give me opportunities to reach out to newly diagnosed patients and give them hope.
Meg Reyes
I am a wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend, but most of all I am a survivor.
Reading the stories of other [Nuestras Historias] survivors aided me in realizing we all experience our challenges differently, but are affected by the same cancer which bonded us together.
Maria Huerta
I broke down when I looked in the mirror for the first time, but I thought, if I don’t accept myself, who will?
[Nuestras Historias] changed my life…it brought a special closeness for my family all over again. The experience I felt is priceless to read testimonies from other woman (my sisters for life), knowing I am not alone.