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Recent News
National Advisory Board Beginning
My Hope Chest is anxiously anticipating the first meeting of its national advisory Board on Wednesday, … [Read More...]
Tristar Products “Genie Bra” Partners with My Hope Chest!
My Hope Chest is THRILLED to announce our newest alliance and sponsor, the GENIE BRA! As a part of their … [Read More...]
ABC Action News Covers My Hope Chest Surgery
The war rages to help uninsured breast cancer survivors gain breast reconstruction... Linda Hurtado … [Read More...]
Past Events
October 27th Tampa Florida ~ “Booooobie Ball” Returns!
Save the date for spooooktackular event … [Read More...]
Moxy Women Miracle Concert and Expo this weekend!
Moxy Miracle Concert & Healthy Living … [Read More...]
3rd-Annual “Hot August Night” Bar Hop! Sat August 18
Join us Saturday, August 18 on Corey Avenue … [Read More...]
Featured Video
I never expected to be one person one day and with breast cancer wake up a different person, but that’s what happened essentially.
Born an anomaly of sorts into a world that runs the road of normalities, I found myself torn emotionally and physically when after 2 previous attempts of correcting issues with my left breast.
When informed that I had breast cancer, in my past life form, I was not only more confused than I was at the onset of puberty but even more so upon this discouraging news.
When the surgery was over and being surrounded by 20-25 Endocrinologists I was informed the facts behind why I always felt like a chicken in a gaggle of geese.
Intersexed, a cancer survivor, and enlightened into a new exciting and scary life, I found that being a woman with only one breast was not only depressing to me but a social stigma that I just have never been able to rise above.
Finally, with prayers to God nightly, a smile for a future was given to me with the discovery of myhopechest.com .
Bless you all.
Riki Ann
In 2009 the month of October around the week of my birthday I was told I had breast cancer, which just happened to be when my father died of cancer and was burried the day before my birthday. So October pretty much sucks for me since Dad died 19 years ago. After having a left mastectomy and dealing with all that goes with that I was so very glad to be alive and in remission. As three years have passed and Im still grateful to be alive and in remission I cant help but wonder what it would be like to not feel like a freak because I walk around with one boob. I was given a prostetic boob and fitted for a bra to go with it and have had lots and lots of trouble with it and now its ripped and its allways been like wearing a watermellon on my chest its so heavy and the bra has been in the drawer for the last couple of years cause it never really fit right. I dont know I was never given any information on reconstructive surgery I guess because I didnt have anything but medicaid for insurance. I was only allowed social security disability for 4 months then that was cut off and i was back on medicaid insurance for some time until my daughter started getting ss benifits from her fathers retirement, which has to come in my name because im her gardian so that was over the $200.00 limit for me to get medicaid so I was kicked off of that and therefore had to stop going to my cancer doctor for blood work and x-rays and mammograms for the one i have left.I guess Im one of those people that have fallen through the cracks. I dont even really know why Im telling my story because what can be done now after its been so long. I still dont have any insurance, I dont have a job , I still have pain in my left side of my chest that I take pain meds for that I can bearly afford. Im a single mother of a 15 year old girl. We live off of her s.s. check of $610.00 a month. I dont work because before I was diagnosed with breast cancer I was dealing with osteoarthritis in my spine along with spinal spurs but was still working at that time. After the b.c. I was diagnosed with diabetis and stayed in the hospital for 15 days with my left arm having a blood clot taking blood thinners. Now i take an asprin a day to keep my blood thinned and also take fluid pills to keep my feet and legs and arms and hands from severe swelling. Ive applied for ss disability but I guess Im not disabled ENOUGH to get that. I dont necessarily want anything but to maybe let someone know what has happened to me and maybe to help others know to find out all you can and ask questions and have someone advocate for you. Pretty much all I was told was hey were gonna cut off your left breast and send you on home and goodluck in your future.Now Im left wondering will it come back and will I even know when or if it does cause I cant see my cancer dr to get the blood works that detects that it may be reoccuring. After typing all this Im kinda getting mad all over again and all the unresolved issues and feelings are flooding back in that I thoufgt i had gotten over. Am I just being foolish even talking about all this or what. Im 48 and Ill just live with all this but maybe others wont have to…just sayin..