Cancer Survivor Story - Tanji Cockerham

Around the time she was due for an annual check-up and mammogram this year, Tanji had noticed soreness and at times throbbing in her upper arm near her armpit. Not thinking “breast cancer” at all, she mentioned it in passing to her doctor, who emphasized the importance of getting that already scheduled mammogram.

In March, the mammogram came back abnormal, so Tanji had a second one. After spotting a suspicious spot on her left breast, doctors recommended a biopsy. Tanji was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in April, and it shook her to her core. She says she was in disbelief that it could happen to her, and in the early days, thought it was a death sentence.

Initially Tanji wasn’t even sure about getting the recommended surgery and did a lot of research online while deciding. After another survivor shared her story and assured Tanji, she would be ok and to listen to what her doctors recommended, she moved forward with the lumpectomy. Still in the midst of her treatment, she will begin radiation soon. She says that she has felt tremendous reassurance and support from each of her doctors and their teams, all of them emphasizing that they’re going to take care of her and she’s going to be ok.

A self-proclaimed shy and private person, Tanji says her diagnosis was too heavy to carry by herself, so she began sharing with a close family member and coworker and has found the courage to continue to share her story with the hope of other women hearing how important it is to take care of yourself and listen to your doctors’ recommendation. Through this journey she has leaned on her family and faith as a strong support system and stays busy as a wife, mom, grandmother and preschool teacher.