When I was 15, Mary Beverlin was gracious enough to offer me a chance to make some extra cash by watching her dogs. Fifteen years later, she is still gracious in allowing me a chance to discuss her very recent journey with breast cancer.

In her humble way, she didn’t know if her story would be as impactful as someone who has been on this road for longer than she has. But the truth of the matter is that ALL stories provide something to the bigger picture; inspiration, education, comfort or coping skills. Hearing directly from survivors helps build a fuller understanding of what living with cancer looks like.

Mary’s relationship with cancer did not begin with her own.

“I am a cancer mom,” she related. “My son was diagnosed with medulloblastoma (brain cancer) just shy of his 16th birthday. He is a survivor and recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in engineering.”

For Mary’s own cancer experience, her discovery is very recent: Aug. 30, 2026. Her biopsy showed “invasive metaplastic carcinoma, measuring 3.5 cm.” During the next 10 days, Mary prepared for a double mastectomy- a choice she had made….READ MORE…