Amanda Haese, breast cancer warrior, remains strong in the face of adversity. Her portrait reflects the courage, grace, and determination that carried her through the darkest days, one day at a time.
Racing Toward Resilience
Amanda Haese of Chilton never imagined her life would take such a sharp turn. Diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer on her birthday, the news came as a shock. “You never think it’s going to be you,” she says. “It still doesn’t feel real.”
Just seven days after her diagnosis, Amanda began treatment. Her journey included six months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy with lymph node removal, five weeks of radiation, oral chemotherapy at home, and reconstructive surgery. Through it all, she leaned on her family, especially her children ages 10 and 12, who stepped up in ways no parent ever wants to ask of them. “They helped with everything—meals, laundry. They had to grow up fast.”
Support came from all directions. Friends, family, even strangers reached out with messages, gift cards, and donations. “It takes a village,” Amanda says. “And I had an army.”
Her diagnosis changed everything. “One day everything’s fine, and the next your world is turned upside down,” she reflects. “But I had a treatment plan. Not everyone gets that option. I’m thankful.”
Amanda’s sense of identity has evolved. “I look back at old photos and don’t recognize that person. It’s a new life, a new perspective.” Confidence now means believing in herself, even on the hardest days. “You have to be strong enough to keep going. One day at a time; that’s what got me through.”
Participating in the boudoir-style portrait campaign was a way for Amanda to reclaim her image and inspire others. “After losing my hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes, it’s good to show that cancer doesn’t always change your life for the worse. It can give you a new outlook.”
Her message to others facing a diagnosis is clear: “You don’t have to do it alone. Let people help. Lean on others. Focus on yourself and your healing.”
Amanda hopes her story and portrait offer hope to those in dark places. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a rough journey, but it’s not impossible.”
Her final advice? “Believe in yourself. It’s scary at first, but knowing you can do something about it, that changes everything.”