SPRING, Texas – Fight or flight - those were the two choices Alison Randazzo faced after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. With two young children including a 6-month-old baby under her care, Randazzo knew she really only had one option: to fight for her life for the sake of her family.
“I just had that mentality like I have a lot to live for. I have two kids. I have a husband. I have family and friends,” said Randazzo. “They gave me the strength to push through.”
Randazzo first noticed something was amiss during the postpartum period with her second child, Ava. Busy caring for her newborn and having no history of breast cancer in her family, she waited three months before seeing a doctor.
“I felt a lump on the left side of my breast and finally decided ok I need to get this checked,” said Randazzo. “I went in to see my OBGYN, and right away she was alarmed.”
Randazzo’s doctor quickly ordered a mammogram, ultrasound and three biopsies. The news came back the following day: stage three breast cancer. From there, Randazzo kicked into fight mode.
“I knew it was going to be a struggle, but it was a fight that I knew that I had to do,” said Randazzo.
Randazzo sought treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she underwent 14 rounds of chemotherapy, 30 radiation treatments, four surgeries and four months of taking the chemo pill.
“Side effects of chemo did a number to my body, and that was a struggle, but overall I feel like I took it everyday step by step,” said Randazzo.
According to Randazzo, side effects like losing her hair were not a big issue. For her, the hard part was seeing the toll it took on her loved ones. The day she got to ring the bell in victory was a big win for everyone.
“I was declared cancer free on February 28, 2021. I overcame some very hard difficult hurdles, and so that day, February 28th, will forever live on as a joyous day,” said Randazzo.
During Randazzo’s treatment, Amy Abel, a friend of Randazzo’s, invited her to come out to an event hosted by an organization called Making Strides Against Breast Cancer to support those undergoing treatment, survivors and funding for research.
“It was empowering. It really was a great feeling knowing I was in the mix of people that understood what I went through,” said Randazzo.
And if you ask Randazzo, being surrounded by people who love and support you makes a world of difference when battling a beast as big as breast cancer.
“I strongly believe that having a support system is the best medicine,” said Randazzo. “If you know someone currently going through it, reach out to them. Ask how they’re doing. Ask if [you] can bring a meal, wash some clothes, you know, because everything really does help.”
If you’d like to help, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is hosting a walk on Saturday, November 13 from 8 - 11 a.m. at CityCentre. The walk will be a come and go event to help with social distancing. To register click here.