My name is Suzanne Horsley.  My husband, David, and I live in Memphis, Tennessee.  I am a 11-year (2012) breast cancer survivor.   I am currently surviving and thriving.

My breast cancer journey began when I did a self-breast exam and discovered a walnut sized knot on my left breast.  After a biopsy and subsequent receptor testing, it was discovered that my breast cancer was a very aggressive HER2Neu subtype.  I had various cocktails of chemotherapy drugs along with massive bouts of radiation before my bilateral mastectomy.  In November 2012, after my mastectomy, I was declared cancer free with clear margins.

My euphoria only lasted for 15 months.  In February 2014, I felt a small firm knot under my left arm.  The breast cancer was back!  It had come back with a vengeance, invading all my lymph nodes under my arm and entering my lymph nodes in my supraclavicular area and my blood stream.  I went over five years before I experienced my second recurrence, a metastasis to my brain.

My breast cancer journey has afforded me the experience to educate, support, and inspire other women and men going through similar journeys, as well as work to raise funds for breast cancer research.  After my first recurrence, all areas of breast cancer advocacy became and remains my passion.  I currently serve as an American Cancer Society National Voice of Hope – North Central Region.  In addition, I am honored to serve on the Memphis Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Executive Leadership Team.  As chairperson for Think Pink Memphis Luncheon, Auction and Survivor Fashion Show, I work with the Zeta Tau Alpha Philanthropy “Think Pink” to raise funds for our national partnerships with the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Crucial Catch and the nonprofit, Bright Pink.

Through each struggle comes a lesson.  Through each lesson comes a blessing!