October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so we had to feature a true She-ro walking the walk. Meet the beautiful and amazing Nicole Branca Harris. Nicole works in Talent Acquisition for Alexander Mann Solutions (AMS) and is a beautiful wife and mother who is thriving despite a Breast Cancer diagnosis.
Just one year ago, Nicole learned of her diagnosis on 23rd September 2021 the day before she turned 37.
When asked about her journey since diagnosis, Nicole says “I would be lying if I didn’t say it was the scariest thing I could ever imagine when I was first diagnosed and leading up to my 1st surgery back in October. Waiting for all the different test results was like absolute torture. It was like a nightmare I couldn’t wake myself up from. Now I’ve had 4 surgeries and will be in hormonal chemotherapy for 5 years total… it’s a lot to take in at times for sure. At the end of the day, however, going through this has been the greatest blessing as it’s changed my perception of just about everything! It’s impossible for me not to focus on what matters and choose to focus on the good which is and always will be my family. I have 2 small children aged 8 and 5 (Joseph Albert and Juliana Annette) they are the light of my life and make fighting easy. I’ve had the support of my wonderful husband Jason who has been at every single doctor’s appointment and treatment, my amazing parents came to live with us and have been with us every step of the way, and of course, my loving in-laws are always in my corner for anything I ever need.”
Her advice to women facing the same challenge and/or scared to get screened to find out your results is to “Keep the faith, pray every day to whatever higher power you believe in and allow yourself to be scared but always keep the faith and stay positive. Make sure you feel 100% confident and comfortable with your medical team and do your research. Don’t be afraid to go for 2nd and 3rd opinions”. Like with anything, you must be your advocate, and “Trust your gut…. Be kind but take no shit! The squeaky wheel gets the oil so don’t be afraid to call as many times as it takes to get an appointment or get your results.”
For medical appointments make sure you always bring someone with you to your visits to take notes and come with questions. You need to just be there and be calm, allowing others to help you. It’s okay to need help and the support of your village. Relying on your Faith in God, your family, and faith in yourself is what Nicole says has helped her get through the toughest days.
In addition to diagnosis and treatment, a big challenge has been for Nicole to step back at times and let her family take over in caring for her kids. Like most moms, she’s used to doing everything for them so it was hard to lose that for an extended time but at end of the day she’s so grateful to have the support system for them and that they were able to carry on their lives as normal.
“I’m just a working-class girl from Jersey who got very lucky in life and works hard to set the best example possible for my kids, who by the way are my greatest accomplishment”
For the future, Nicole plans to Keep healthy and enjoy watching her kids grow up!
She wants to remind you all to get checked every single year for breast cancer and “if you feel anything at all – don’t wait!”
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