Breast cancer didn’t stand a chance against the fighting spirit of these two military-connected women. Though their diagnosis and treatment differed, their journeys of courage began with early detection and ended with defeat.
Lea is an Army veteran turned milspouse who survived a deployment to Iraq only to face a disease she hit head-on with a TKO strategy. Tawanda spent 21 years as an Air Force spouse, survived multiple overseas tours, and retired from human resources—before facing a Stage 1A breast cancer diagnosis.
The Breast Cancer Battle Begins
In her early 20s, Lea was given a self-exam shower card which included a silicone insert that mimicked what a breast lump or abnormal tissue might feel like—this began her self-examination journey. One night, lying in bed at the age of 37, she felt something and “remembered that rocky feeling.” The abnormal tissue on that shower card had the same feeling, she explains, which turned out to be stage 2 breast cancer. Her thoughts went immediately to her young children and what life would be like without her.
Tawanda was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. Fear raced through her mind after the initial screening showed an abnormality. The wait for a second review was a bit daunting. All she could think about was her sons. Ultimately, the prognosis was a bit of a relief for the stage 1 high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosis. Yup, that’s a mouthful, but ultimately, the doctors were on the fence about the stage, insinuating that it could have actually been at stage zero, but either way, it was time for the treatment battle to begin.
For one, it started with a self-exam and a feeling that something wasn’t right. For the other, it was a routine screening that changed everything.
Fighting Like a Milspouse
Lea opted for a bilateral mastectomy, explaining that with a lumpectomy, there’s still a risk of cancer returning. “I elected to have both breasts removed so I would never have to worry about breast cancer again, so that I can have peace of mind. I have so much more life left now.”
Not many women would have had the courage to do what she did, but the peace and freedom she now has allows her to live life to the fullest.
Tawanda’s fight didn’t make it 12 rounds, let alone 12 months. She was diagnosed in May of 2023, and by the end of August, she was in remission. While she, too, was presented with many options for treatment, she opted for the lumpectomy followed by radiation. She didn’t want to live her life in fear of what-ifs and was confident in the treatment plan her doctors developed.
Their military connection braced these women and their husbands to step up to the challenge and fight for their lives.
Faith, Family, and the Will to Win
“I’m just so thankful for my faith because I don’t understand how people do without it.” Lea reflects that her faith had a lot to do with giving her peace of mind. Prayer and support from friends who rallied around also aided her recovery. Lea is grateful that her husband stepped up to the challenge of caring for her and their children during the process.
Keeping the news of the diagnosis to a small circle, she was sure to share the news with her adult sons, mother, and sister, who served a vital role in the battle, fervently covering her in prayer for healing. While initially scared, Tawanda’s husband was there to be calm in the store and help maintain peace of mind, especially during moments of waiting for results, as these are times when the mind often races – breeding life to some of the scariest thoughts. Every appointment, no matter how insignificant, her husband is always right by her side.
Both Lea and Tawanda had amazingly supportive husbands who never missed a beat in the battle. Breast cancer is not just a battle for one–spouses have a lot of weight on their shoulders with caring for the needs of their family as well as maintaining their own mental stability.
Thank God for TRICARE
TRICARE was crucial in providing little to no out-of-pocket fees for treatment. The diagnosis alone can be life-changing, but when you add on additional medical fees, it can be almost unbearable. Thanks to the excellent coverage these ladies had, there was no added stress.
In total, Lea only recalls spending about $30 out-of-pocket. Her only challenge was dissatisfaction with her reconstructive surgeon’s work. She notes that time moves quickly after diagnoses, and there is not a lot of time to waste finding second opinions and researching providers was the last thing on her mind. Thankfully, her surgical oncologist recommended someone with whom she was able to feel more comfortable.
Having had no out-of-pocket expenses was a blessing on top of a phenomenal care team for Tawanda. While it seemed unusual for physical therapy to be a part of a breast cancer team, she would soon find out why. The six-month mark hit, and she still had some pain and soreness. She was sent to physical therapy, and wow, what a difference. It’s been two years since surgery, and she is definitely noticing improvements in range of motion and relief from scar tissue buildup.
What’s changed since becoming cancer-free?
The year before her cancer diagnosis, Tawanda was also diagnosed with something that could have paralyzed her. The cancer diagnosis sparked a fear that every ailment would lead to something bad, sparking more thoughts about death. To combat this, she’s become more in tune with her body, and she is constantly working on maintaining a positive mindset.
After being face-to-face with death, Lea lives life on the bolder side. Her life is filled with gratitude, and she doesn’t take surviving for granted. “I just feel grateful to be alive,” she states. She encourages women with military backgrounds to check with the VA to determine if their breast cancer diagnosis might be service-connected, which may qualify them for additional benefits and resources.
Two Survivors, One Message
Their diagnoses may have differed — from how they found out to the stage and type of treatment—but their message is the same. Be proactive in doing self-exams and attending annual appointments.
Lea encourages women to conduct self-examinations consistently. Most people write them off as pointless, but although she was not as consistent as she would have liked, one exam saved her life. You will never regret early detection. If you haven’t been doing them, now is the time to start. Tawanda’s final encouragement is not to be afraid of going to the doctor for fear of bad news, but rather to embrace it as an opportunity to advocate for your own health and well-being. Tawanda is more than grateful for a team that took excellent care of her and wants to encourage other women to stay on top of their regular check-ups.
Tawanda and Lea’s journey of faith, family, and resilience reinforces how community and TRICARE helped them face one of life’s toughest battles and emerge cancer-free, stronger than ever. When it comes to life-saving treatment, TRICARE rocks.
