Now, with no evidence of disease, Lisa reflects on her journey with gratitude. Though she didn’t carry the BRCA gene, breast cancer had affected her family. Her father’s two sisters had faced the disease in their later years with a third sister losing a short battle with leukemia. Even with a family history, the diagnosis still came as a shock. 

The road through treatment was long and painful, but Lisa credits her strong faith in God for keeping her grounded. She believes in the power of prayer, and she was surrounded by family and friends who made sure she was never alone. They prayed for her, attended appointments, brought her food, and offered endless support. But what truly kept her going were her grandchildren. Five grandchildren, ranging from 2 to 21, gave her a strong determination to push through and be there for them—to watch them grow, go to school, play sports, and thrive in their later years. Her husband, Greg, was her rock, offering unwavering support and helping her stay positive through even the hardest days.   

Throughout her battle, Lisa received incredible support at work. Employed at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Lakeland, she was overwhelmed by how accommodating her team was during her treatments. They allowed her to work from home when needed, giving her flexibility while fighting cancer. It was a true blessing, and today, she’s back at work full-time, grateful for their thoughtfulness and understanding.

Now, with no evidence of disease, Lisa reflects on her journey with gratitude. Though she didn’t carry the BRCA gene, breast cancer had affected her family. Her father’s two sisters had faced the disease in their later years with a third sister losing a short battle with leukemia. Even with a family history, the diagnosis still came as a shock.

The road through treatment was long and painful, but Lisa credits her strong faith in God for keeping her grounded. She believes in the power of prayer, and she was surrounded by family and friends who made sure she was never alone. They prayed for her, attended appointments, brought her food, and offered endless support. But what truly kept her going were her grandchildren. Five grandchildren, ranging from 2 to 21, gave her a strong determination to push through and be there for them—to watch them grow, go to school, play sports, and thrive in their later years. Her husband, Greg, was her rock, offering unwavering support and helping her stay positive through even the hardest days.

Throughout her battle, Lisa received incredible support at work. Employed at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Lakeland, she was overwhelmed by how accommodating her team was during her treatments. They allowed her to work from home when needed, giving her flexibility while fighting cancer. It was a true blessing, and today, she’s back at work full-time, grateful for their thoughtfulness and understanding.

This November, Lisa will take another important step in her journey with breast reconstruction surgery. She’s hopeful that this next phase will bring a sense of closure and allow her to move forward with peace. 

Lisa also can’t say enough positive things about the care she received at SGMC Health and the Pearlman Cancer Center.

"They took the time to talk, check in, and offer care and support when I needed it most. From the lab staff to the front desk and valet workers, everyone made the experience more bearable with their warmth and compassion."

Now nearing the one-year mark since her diagnosis, Lisa has a message for other women: prioritize your health.

"Get your annual mammograms, and do your monthly self-exams," she advises. "If I had been more diligent with my self-exams, I might have found my cancer sooner."

For Lisa, early detection made all the difference, and she hopes her story will inspire other women to take their health seriously.

Her diagnosis meant she had to start chemotherapy immediately, while still pregnant. This was a scary thought to her, but her doctors assured her that since she was well into her second trimester, there was very little chance chemo would negatively affect her baby.

With incredible courage, she underwent four chemo sessions before being induced at 34 weeks. "I just want to acknowledge and thank the Labor and Delivery staff at SGMC Health as well as Kimberly Cross, MD, and my midwife, who provided me with outstanding care throughout my pregnancy and delivery," she said.

After giving birth, Raven wasted no time starting her second round of chemotherapy and immunotherapy just two weeks later. 

Her journey has been anything but easy, but her faith in God, the support of her family, and her role as a mother of four have given her strength. "I'm looking at it as this is not happening to me, but for me—for other people. No matter how uncomfortable this season of life is, it is bigger than me." She finds hope in sharing her story and connecting with other women who have been through similar battles. 

Raven also shared how her students and her community in Jasper, Florida, have been a source of comfort and strength. With encouragement from her sister and best friend, she started sharing her cancer journey on social media, hoping to help her students adjust to her changing appearance as she returned to the classroom.

She had a difficult time coming to terms with her diagnosis because she didn’t feel or look sick. One of her most emotional moments was during her first chemotherapy session when she broke down, afraid to sit in the chair and begin treatment.

Her nurse comforted her, offering her the space and support she needed to take that difficult first step. “I also received great care from Dr. Narayana, my oncologist. She was very thorough and forthcoming when discussing my treatment, which I appreciated,” stated Raven.

As Raven continues her treatment, her message to other women is clear:

Throughout this journey, Brittney found solace in her faith, which she leaned on during the darkest moments. Her belief that there was a greater purpose behind her struggle gave her hope. She knew that if she could make it through, she could inspire and help others.

Her friends and family were also a pillar of support, stepping in to care for her and her family, and helping with day-to-day tasks. Brittney never felt alone in her fight.

Now, Brittney is passionate about encouraging other women to prioritize their health. She firmly believes in the importance of preventative care. Had she not acted quickly and gotten seen by her care team, her situation could have been much worse.

By the time she started treatment, Brittney was already at stage two, battling the most aggressive form of breast cancer. Early detection saved her life, and she wants other women to know that it could save theirs too.

Brittney’s journey is one of courage, faith, and the unwavering support of those around her. Today, she hopes her story can inspire others to take charge of their health and seek the care they need when something feels wrong.