Bopha had been feeling a sharp, stinging pain in her left breast, but thought it was just her period or heartburn.
Her local doctor’s office wasn’t taking any appointments because of COVID, and she had to push to get them to refer her to BMC.
After an appointment at BMC and two days after her and her boyfriend signed papers on their house, Bopha found out she had Stage II breast cancer. She then had 16 rounds of chemo, a lumpectomy, and 20 rounds of radiation.
"It took a lot of convincing from Dr. Oshry and nurse Nebby that I could slow down and take it easy on myself," says Bopha. "Nebby also taught me to advocate for myself. When I would feel pain before, everyone would say, ‘You’re young, it doesn’t run in your family… you’re fine!' And I am fine, but still… it was breast cancer. Now I spend my time renovating our house, crafting, and saving up for our wedding. Johan and I got engaged in Hawaii last month!"