The Comeback Is Always Stronger Than The Setback
Meet Tanya: A Remarkable Breast Cancer Survivor. Her courageous journey is a testament to resilience and hope
Introduction, Diagnosis & Initial Reaction
Q: Can you share with us about yourself, your background, and your journey with cancer?
A; My name is Tanya Ramsey. I am a 46-year-old stepmom to two incredible young adults, dog mom to a whippet, sister, daughter, and friend. I am the Client Care Manager at Wigs.com, so I handle all things with our clients from start to finish: consulting with them over style and color, helping them with any issues or questions, training our consultants on all things wigs and ensuring they are up to date, assisting our warehouse and returns teams with anything client-related where an issue arises, etc. I have worked with people going through hair loss for over 14 years in some form or fashion. I worked for five years at a Children’s hospital as a medical assistant helping kids with cancer and blood disorders. I then found the opportunity with wigs.com and found that I could continue my passion for helping people dealing with medical issues but in a different way.
I discovered a lump in my breast. My OBGYN doctor looked at it and thought it may have been a cyst. However, when they performed an ultrasound on the lump, they found that it was irregular, especially since my mammogram earlier in February came back clear. Concerned, they performed a biopsy on the lump. That’s when I received the devastating news: I had invasive ductal carcinoma. Hearing the words “you have breast cancer” felt like the ground was falling out beneath me. I felt fear, uncertainty, and overwhelmed. I cried and cried the first few days after finding out. After that (thanks to my supportive husband, family, and friends), I moved forward to let’s fight this and get to the other side.
Treatment Journey
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during treatment?
Treatment was a challenging process – chemotherapy, surgery (double mastectomy and reconstruction), and I can’t forget the countless doctor visits. Each step had its own set of challenges. Chemotherapy was physically and emotionally draining. I was given lots of advice and information about the side effects, and though they were tough because of my amazing treatment team, they were manageable.
Yes, my hair fell out (thank goodness for wigs), and I had days when my stomach couldn’t hold things, but the fatigue was like nothing I had ever experienced. I am 46 years old and was used to having so much energy, but now I have none. I was also sad that my taste had changed, and nothing I loved to eat tasted the same; everything was different. This was tough because I love food! Everyone’s experience with chemo is different, and I learned this through this process.
Hair Loss & Body Image
Q: How did your outlook on beauty evolve through your journey?
I learned to love myself. I thought I did before, but after going through this, I was confident with and without hair (wigs were a BIG help) and with the significant scars I now have. I have a more profound respect and appreciation for women because of the many things we go through.
Reflection & Moving Forward
Q: How has cancer changed your perspective on life?
Life after treatment felt like stepping into a new world. Physically, I had changed. Emotionally and spiritually, I had grown. The experience changed my perspective on life, priorities, and what mattered. I found spending time with loved ones and getting back to my regular routine to be so valuable.
Adjusting to life after breast cancer is finding my new normal, not going back to who I was before. I celebrate small victories like my hair growing back, regaining my energy, and feeling like a new and improved version of myself.
I have found a sense of gratitude like none I had before. Surviving instilled a new appreciation for life. I cherish the small moments just as much as the big, continue to celebrate each small milestone, and try to approach life daily with joy. Now, I take every opportunity to help others going through this journey by sharing my story and offering any advice asked for.
Support System & Resources
Q: How did you stay positive through your toughest days? Were there any organizations or resources that were particularly helpful to you?
During these darkest moments, I discovered a profound inner strength and reunited with my spirituality. Support from family, friends, coworkers, and an incredible medical team became my lifeline, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in the fight. I learned the significance of support from loved ones and within the wig community.
One influential part of my journey was the community I found. Connecting with breast cancer and other types of cancer survivors, along with family members of those who went through it, provided me with a sense of hope and strength.
