Testimonial

By Morgan Bohuslav

Photo courtesy of twtrland.com

After her yearly mammogram checkup in February 2010, Cancer Support Community Central Texas co-founder, Tere Holmes, received news that changed her life forever.  

Tere, who was 51 at the time, was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer.  A month later she had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, when doctors discovered the cancer spread to her lymph nodes.  

Tere started chemotherapy immediately after the surgery, and fought the disease with the support from her family and friends.

“It was kind of a strange experience, even though it turned out to be a blessing,” Tere said. “All of my dearest friends rallied around me and were amazing support.”

During the chemotherapy, Tere experienced fatigue and hair loss, which she said were the “two biggest frustrations during her treatment.”  

“Probably the worst part of it for me was losing my hair,” Tere said. “As a woman so much of your identity is illustrated through your hair.”

Tere said her cancer journey was a “good experience.” She said a lot of it had to do with her attitude, mindset and future plans to help others dealing with the effects of cancer.

“At the end of the day I had breast cancer and could not change it,” Tere said. “What I could do was make sure that I paid it forward, and that other people had a good experience with it and I could help them.”

Soon after, Tere and the other co-founders built on their plans to assist others affected by cancer, and started Cancer Support Community.  

“Our goal is to make sure that nobody faces cancer alone,” Tere said.

Tere and the other co-founders created a place where cancer victims and their loved ones can get extra support needed to cope with the cancer treatments.

Tere just had her 3½ year check up and said “it came out 100 percent, and I am doing very well.”