TAMPA, Florida — In just days, downtown Tampa will be filled with runners raising money for cancer as a part of Miles for Moffitt. Ahead of the race, a Sarasota woman is sharing her cancer diagnosis story.
"My mantra from day one has been, hope is stronger than fear," Lisa Sepulveda said.
Sepulveda says that saying got her through her cancer diagnosis.
"When you’re metastatic, you will be in treatment for the rest of your life," Sepulveda said.
The news is scary and devastating for most who hear it. For Sepulveda, she was diagnosed with a form of breast cancer called HER2 positive, which was stage 4.
Sepulveda said she was diagnosed during a routine mammogram. She didn't have any symptoms leading up to her diagnosis and found out shortly after she moved to Sarasota from New Jersey with her husband and son. They all had to deal with an immense amount of change.
"It was definitely a unique blow because I was diagnosed de novo, which is a metastatic diagnosis right out of the gate," Sepulveda said.
Sepulveda began her chemotherapy treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in August 2021, just weeks after she was diagnosed. She went through six rounds of treatment and then had a double mastectomy in January 2022.
"Metastatic patients like to use the word thrive because we are thriving through life and we will never be a survivor since you’re always in treatment," Sepulveda said.
She's been thriving with help from her family and other cancer patients. After a routine check-up last year, she found out more devastating news.
"Twelve hours later, I had a focal seizure which landed me in the ER, which led to me realizing I had progression to my brain," Sepulveda said.
Sepulveda underwent radiation to treat the cancer that had metastasized to her brain. The radiation treatment was successful and reduced her tumors.
"I had a single point of radiation back in March and I am very grateful to have had a positive response to that," Sepulveda stated.
Sepulveda is back to thriving and ready to showcase that at Miles for Moffitt this weekend.
"My hope is to pass that to others and inspire them to keep pushing," Sepulveda said. She's an example that even through hard times, hope prevails.
"Hope is stronger than fear. You just have to hang onto the hope," Sepulveda stated.
Miles for Moffitt, which Sepulveda will participate in this year, is this Saturday. 10 Tampa Bay will have a tent set up.