Emily Vidas

My Breast Cancer Journey

In 2011, I was diagnosed with stage one HER2-positive breast cancer. Hearing those words was life-changing, and in that moment, everything around me seemed to pause. I made the decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery. That was just the beginning of a long road that included a full year of chemotherapy and nine years on hormonal blocker medication.

It wasn’t easy. There were days I felt strong, and days I felt like I had nothing left to give — but I kept going. What carried me through was a mix of grit, support from the people I love, and a deep-rooted belief that I wasn’t fighting just for myself, but for my family and the life I still had ahead of me.

One thing I never let cancer take from me was the chance to show up for my children and my family. I refused to miss a single one of their sports events — even three days after my bilateral mastectomy, I was in the stands at my son’s football game. I also showed up to help my husband coach his girls’ basketball games, as well as softball and boys’ softball games. And every chance I got, I picked up my camera and took photos and video — documenting not just the games, but the love, the effort, the laughter, and the life that kept going all around us. I didn’t just survive — I stayed present.

This journey taught me the power of resilience, the beauty of vulnerability, and the importance of advocating for your own health. I’m proud to be here today — not just as a survivor, but as someone who grew stronger through it all.