Cynthia Yousefi is a wife and mother of three living in Granada Hills, CA. She is 42 years old and works as an analyst for a Federal agency. She and her family enjoy trips to Harrah's Rincon Casino in San Diego -- and while the destination is a favorite, the sights along the way also bring them pleasure. Cynthia enjoys museums and amusement parks and swimming and evening walks. She enjoys a lot these days because she feels she's been given a second chance at life -- now that she is surviving breast cancer.

When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2005.

How old were you at the time of diagnosis?

I was 41 years old and was diagnosed with Stage I DCIS.

Do you have a family history of breast cancer?

I have several cousins who have had breast cancer so their survival has given me hope.

How did you find out you had breast cancer?

I went in for a routine mammogram and there were calcifications present so I went in for second one. After the second mammogram, I was told that I needed to have a biopsy. The biopsy revealed that I had cancer.

How did you tell your family members about your diagnosis?

My sister went with me to see the surgeon so we found out together. When I got home, my husband was waiting for me at the front door, and I broke down crying. We sat down together and looked at all the information I had gotten from the doctor. He was very supportive and told me that we would get through it together no matter what. I can't even remember how we told our kids. My husband told my mom because I didn't even want to talk about it. For months, every time I told someone that I had breast cancer, I would cry.

What types of breast cancer treatment did you receive?

Lumpectomy. Four rounds of chemotherapy (Adriamycin, Cytoxan) and six weeks of radiation. I'm taking Arimidex for five years and am going in for Herceptin infusions every three weeks for a year. I'll be finished with Herceptin on January 5^th.

How did you manage through breast cancer treatment?

I was fortunate that I was able to handle the chemotherapy and radiation treatments very well. I was able to continue working through both. I took two days off of work after the chemo treatments, and I worked five hours a day instead of eight when I was going through radiation. I had backaches for a couple of days after each chemo, and I felt a little tired toward the end of the radiation treatments, but it wasn't too bad.

What has been your worst breast cancer moment?

It may sound petty, but I hated losing my hair. I got a short haircut when I found out I was going to have chemo, but I hated that my hair was falling out in clumps. I finally had my husband shave my hair off on the day of my second chemo, and then it wasn't as traumatic when the rest of my hair fell off.

What has been your best breast cancer moment?

I can't say that I can pinpoint a best moment, but I can say that I now have a greater appreciation for life and for the time that I spend with my kids and husband.

How do you handle anxiety and worry related to breast cancer?

I was driving myself crazy with worry until I decided that I wasn't going to make my breast cancer the center of my life. I decided that I didn't want to live in fear of having a recurrence. These days, I'm reminded of my breast cancer every three weeks when I go for the Herceptin treatment, and it's not something I'm thinking about every moment of the day.

How has breast cancer changed your life?

I think it's made me a much stronger person. I feel that I can handle anything now.

What lessons have you learned through breast cancer?

I've learned that I need to appreciate life. I enjoy my children, husband, friends and family more. I don't take anything for granted. If we can get away for the weekend, we do. My life doesn't revolve around house-cleaning, cooking, and laundry anymore.

Are you involved in any breast cancer support groups? Fundraisers? Organizations?

Unfortunately, I'm not. I was asked to walk at a survivor's event this summer, but I just wasn't ready yet. I hope to do some fundraising in the future.

What advice would you give someone newly diagnosed?

There is a lot of fear and some pain in the future, but you can get through it. Get as much information as you possibly can because it's important to know your treatment options. Cry as often as you want to, but don't give up on dressing up and fixing yourself up. I had a lot of fun wearing colorful scarves and different types of earrings.

What advice would you give family members and friends of someone diagnosed with breast cancer?

I would say that you shouldn't ask a lot of questions unless the person wants to talk about it. For several months, after being diagnosed, it was very difficult for me to talk about my breast cancer without crying. Now, I can speak freely about it.

Name any breast cancer related books or other resources you would recommend.

I got most of my information from the internet. I would recommend Jacki Donaldson's "my Breast Cancer blog" and any other sites that have personal experiences documented. Reading these made me realize that I'm not alone, and that my feelings of fear and anxiety are a normal part of the journey.