Heather Jose is the author of “Letters to Sydney: Every Day I am Killing Cancer” and a contributing writer for the Breast Cancer Wellness magazine. Her column, Girl Talk for Survivors, addresses the issues unique to younger survivors. Heather also speaks frequently to audiences of both health care providers and cancer patients.
After receiving the devastating diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer at the age of 26, Heather decided to fight the cancer head on. Using nutrition, exercise, visualization, and prayer to complement conventional treatment which included chemotherapy, a double stem cell transplant, surgery and radiation, Heather put together a comprehensive plan to battle cancer on a daily basis.
Now, over ten years later Heather is healthy and passionate about encouraging healthcare providers and patients to make a difference everyday to achieve outstanding outcomes. She knows that the relationship between the patient and the provider can impact the patient’s ability to fight in a positive and negative way. Jose believes in empowering patients to play an active role in their treatment. This can be accomplished through positive actions and words. Jose, an occupational therapist, is familiar with healthcare from both sides of the coin, helping her to bridge the gap between patient and provider.
Heather lives in Michigan with her husband, Larry, and two children, Sydney, born before the cancer, and Ty, adopted from India after the cancer.
I just wanted to say you are an inspiration.. I was diagnosed w/stage 2b grade 2 Breast Cancer in Oct.. I’ve gotten through 3 of 8 treatments now, and once that’s done I’ll go on to 30 rounds of Rads..
If you could beat a stage IV then I surely can beat a stage 2..
As for you changing your diet.. I’m really curious about that if you could possibly give me some hints or anything it would be much appreciated!!
Take care and I’ll talk to you later!
Sonya
your story inspires me ….i am a stage 4 mets to bones BC survivor . I thrive on information like yours, being healthy 8 yrs. later…it gives me hope, lets me know it IS possible. I was diagnosed 4 yrs ago @ 34 yrs old. I also have 2 children. I am a single mom. I worry about my girls future, and hope their dealings with BC ends with me. I appreiciate you sharing your story and wanted you to know that in doing so, you have helped me . I Thank You.
It was so awesome meeting you this past weekend in jacksonville. You are truly an inspiration to us all!!!
heather, i am stage IV bc, i want to live i am doing well with chemo, and i am strong….i have always eaten lots of veggies and fruit but i am not an exerciser, i chase a 3 year old around i still work full time and i do my own housework and such, but any thing else i can do?
Dear Heather,
Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your positive website and book. A family member was recently diagnosed with cancer and was searching for encouragement. I spent hours on the internet looking for positive comments & stories and stumbled upon your site. What a breath of fresh air! I purchased your book as well. It was informative yet easy to read. I gave it to my relative and she found comfort & hope in your spirit. I check back in on your website about once a month and find renewed hope in your journal entries and survivor stories. Keep up the wonderful work. Much health and happiness to you and your family.
mrs.jose I am so proud of you. Thanks for coaching Girls on the Run.
Dear Heather!
Reading about your amazing journey fighting cancer at stage IV , I was so thouched. Your history really gives woman with bc hope. I really do feel hopeful, thank you so much for sharing all the way to Sweden.
Heather- I am so impressed with your drive and with your work in spreading the word to others about beating cancer. It was really wonderful to open up Mlive and see a familiar face doing all that they can to help others. My best to your family.
Hi mrs.Jose I enjoyed having you be a coach on girls on the run. I thought it was nice for us to make cards for the people at the nursering homes thank you for getting us icecreme you were the nicest coach at girls on the run.
p.s is so much fun! sincerly,
Lilly
Hi. Just wanted to offer some support and also direct you to our newest project… motherswithcancer.com. There are 20 of us blogging over there and offering up what we can in the way of information, support and sisterhood.
Stella
I came across your story on the Young Survival Coalition Web site. I woke up this morning looking for inspiration, and you certainly fit the bill. I was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in February, after being five years cancer-free. I have been doing many of the things you are doing with nutrition, prayer and visualization. I also keep a blog. You give me hope that these things work, and inspriation to do more. Thank you!
Here is the link to my blog, by the way.
Heather, I read the article that was printed in the morning sun about you this previous weekend. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March. Stage IV with liver mets. Your story has given me hope that I too can beat some odds and live longer than expected. I am 30 years old and have two small kids ages 5 and 3-1/2 and am trying to look for the positive and learn to live with this terrible disease.
Hi Heather,
My husband, daughter and I listened to you speak at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing a couple of weeks ago. We really enjoyed it and I connected with you. I am a stage 4 breast cancer with mets to the liver and bone which was diagnosed in 2007, My original breast cancer was August of 2003. Then this summer I had a seizure and found out my cancer had metatisized to my brain. I have gone through 3 weeks of radiation and have weekly chemo treatments. Hearing you talk was such a boost to me. You reminded me of a younger me. I am a teacher, have a strong support system of family and friends, am a very positive person, have a strong faith and have put this disease in God’s hands, and only want to know just what I need to know about my disease. I read your book from beginning to end when we got home that night. My husband and I are going to the Block Center in November to see what other tools are available to fight this disease. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You are an inspiration to me and many others fighting this disease. I love the idea – “Every day I am killing cancer” I say that many times a day.
Hi Heather!
I recently heard you on the radio and was so happy to hear your voice. You were a great inspiration throughout school even before I knew of the cancer and even more afterwards. You not only took the call to fight and live, but you used it to further everyone else in this world. You speak to others and teach us. I am so glad I had the chance in life to be impacted be you. I hope I can be as strong as women as you are and hope as a future occupational therapist I can work as hard as you! Thanks! God BLess You!!!
Hi, I just came across your blog Heather and I too admire what you are doing. As a breast cancer advocate and survivor, I believe very much in the sisterhood of experience and in the words of Albert Schweitzer “whoever among us has learned through personal experience what pain and anxiety really are must help to ensure that those out there who are in … need obtain the same help that once came to (her)”
http://beyondbreastcancer.wordpress.com/about/