Survivor Story

The power of positive thinking is the most important part of trying to get cured. That is just one of the life lessons Denise Fagan has learned from battling stage IV breast cancer.

DIAGNOSIS

In the late summer of 1999, Denise had moved from Florida to Connecticut because of a job transfer with Pratt & Whitney, Materials and Process Engineering. About three months later, she felt some lower back pain and figured she should go see a doctor. One morning, she saw that her nipple was inverted, and immediately knew something was wrong.

Denise went to see a doctor where they thought she had gallstones. Following that, Denise had an ultrasound where they found multiple tumors in her liver. “I didn’t know what multiple meant; my doctor told me there were too many to even count.” Denise’s doctor put two and two together and suspected cancer. Within a week she was scheduled for about five different tests, when they ultimately found stage four metastatic, estrogen positive breast cancer, which had also spread into her liver, parts of her shoulder and to her hip bone. 

“I was devastated. I didn’t think I was going to live. The doctors told me I had a 20% chance of living just one year, but if I survived the first two years, my chances would be greater.”

Because Denise was an extremely healthy person, she was able to receive a higher amount of treatment, which reduced all her tumors to just one spot, and led her to a semi remission for two and a half years.

SUPPORT

In 1999, she joined the Susan G. Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure®. The first year, she broke down and cried, realizing that she had had no support system in place for her. “It was so overwhelming. I was devastated that I was there alone.” That is when Denise realized how important having a support system would be. “Sometimes your family is too emotional about it, and sometimes you need to be around people who can relate to you and laugh about it.”

Her coworkers and friends at Pratt & Whitney were more than willing to walk with her the following year. Team Denise was formed and is still going strong to this day. “Team Denise is not only my walking team but my support group.”

NEW OBSTACLES

In February 2007, Denise faced another battle. She was having trouble menstruating. “I now had breast cancer in my ovaries. My immediate reaction was that now I really was going to die.”  Doctors had found a tumor the size of a grapefruit on her ovary which was never detected in any scans. Because the cancer was linked to her ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes, she underwent a hysterectomy. “Sometimes I think I feel better than people who are healthy.”

MOVING ON

Although Denise had to give up one of her true passions, wedding photography which was a side business she had, Denise never has let the cancer get to her head. She explained that it’s easy to wallow in your sadness and be depressed and let your emotions take over. “Keep your mind nourished, the joy in your life is the most important.” Denise chooses to still work full time and travel. “Having a purpose everyday is important.”

Denise believes that women should share knowledge, and they should work as a team with their doctors and should not be afraid to ask questions and know the facts. “Women should know that there are [stage IV] survivors like myself out there.”

“I am celebrating nine years this month, when I didn’t even think I’d survive my first year. I take one day at a time and make everyday pretty special. I’m blessed I’m still here. I know which days are going to be bad, and which days are going to be good, but I still live my life pretty full.” Her motto is, “live, love, and don’t forget to laugh.”

Denise is currently in remission except for some bone metastasis in her spine, neck, and back.  She believes research has made it possible for her to survive as long as she has, and has sincere gratitude towards Komen. “Komen has been phenomenal. They give women power, and when women have power, they have a better chance.”

Denise sadly lost her battle with breast cancer on November 9, 2009. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.

This story was written by Lea Aglione, a student at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, and an intern with Komen Connecticut.