MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY -- “My name is Tina Dauro, and I am a breast cancer survivor.”
There are more than 3.1 million people with a history of breast cancer in the United States. This includes women still being treated and those who have completed treatment, according to American Cancer Society Press Room Release, http://pressroom.cancer.org/2017-09-28-October-is-Breast-Cancer-Awareness-Month-What-You-Need-to-Know-and-How-You-Can-Help.
Dauro, a planner associate with Installation and Environment Division, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, was diagnosed with cancer four years ago.
For her, October is not only Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a reminder to make time to celebrate life.
“In September 2013 I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer only 11 months after having my routine annual mammogram as I had done for the previous 18 years since my mother had passed with breast cancer,” she said. “When you first hear the words, ‘you have cancer,’ you’re kind of in shock for a while. You have to make lots of decisions very fast and go through many tests just to determine your course of treatment.”
Dauro, who was not working at the time when diagnosed with cancer, had a double mastectomy in November 2013.
In January 2014, she began working at Maintenance Center Albany, now called Production Plant Albany, and in April 2016 transferred to MCLB Albany’s I & E Division where she currently works.
From January through May, Dauro underwent chemotherapy treatments.
For the first four months she had bi-weekly chemotherapy IV treatments on Thursday afternoons which usually took about six hours.
“I would leave work around lunch, get my chemo treatment at the hospital and then return to work on Friday,” Dauro said. “Friday, after work, I would go back to the hospital for the Lunesta shot, which helps start rebuilding your blood cells.”
Chemotherapy is by far the worst part of the treatment, she admitted.
“Some days, you’re overwhelmed and not sure if you’ll get through it, but you can’t give up,” she said. “You have to tell yourself…just get through each day…minute by minute…and every day is a day closer to being finished with the treatment and being well again.”
Dauro said she would rest on Saturday and Sunday so that she could return to work on Monday.
In June and July 2014, she underwent daily radiation treatments which she accomplished on her lunch break Monday through Friday for seven consecutive weeks, she added.
Due to the treatments, Dauro’s physical appearance also changed.
“I lost my hair and was bald for months, but now it has grown back,” she said. “I also have had a total of nine surgeries, to include the double mastectomy.”
Dauro, the youngest of 10 siblings, said having faith, family, co-workers and a positive attitude helped her survive breast cancer.
“I am proud to work aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and be a part of such a meaningful operation for our country and Marines,” she said. “In my opinion, nothing can compare to a Marine at war or in a foreign land defending our country, but that Marine knows in order to get to where he or she wants to be, they have to take it one step at a time. That's also the way to take a cancer journey, step by step.”