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Dear Patients, Families, and Friends,

I want to take a moment to honor the incredible strength, courage, and resilience you have shown supporting your loved one through their breast cancer journey. Watching someone you care about face cancer can be overwhelming, and it affects not only the individual but the entire family. Yet amid uncertainty, one constant remains: the enduring power of love, hope, and community.

This path may be difficult, but always remember that you are not walking alone. Every step you take in support of your loved one reflects the deep bond you share. Your steady, compassionate presence lights the darkest moments, offering comfort and reassurance. The simple act of standing beside them, listening and caring, means more than words could ever express.

“Hope is more than just a word—it is a force that propels us forward when the road is difficult. Keep that hope alive in your hearts as you face each new day.”

—Kshama R. Jaiswal, MD, FACS

Sharing this close bond with my patients inspires me, especially when I witness the profound relief and joy that comes after a loved one completes surgery or makes progress in their recovery. I am incredibly moved when I see a couple who have been together for 40-plus years face cancer. Seeing a spouse’s relief when their life partner has come out of surgery doing well is so telling of the bond that the couple shares. I understand that partnerships like this, forged in years of ups and downs as a couple, are strong. I feel privileged that I have the opportunity to give couples and families more years together after the cancer is a distant memory.

In recent years, incredible advances in breast cancer treatments, research, and care have brought new hope to patients and families. Survival rates are improving, and more people are living fuller, healthier lives after breast cancer. These milestones remind us that, even in the face of adversity, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Hope is more than just a word—it is a force that propels us forward when the road is difficult. Keep that hope alive in your hearts as you face each new day. Lean on one another for strength, draw strength from your community, and never hesitate to ask for help. Whether through family, friends, support groups, or medical professionals, there are people all around you who are ready and willing to support you on your journey.

“The storm may rage, but I am unshaken;
Though the winds may blow, they leave me unmoved;
For the rock of my foundation, stands firm.”

—The Letters of Abelard and Heloise

You are the foundation that means everything to your loved one. The courage you show by standing with them is a testament to the power of family and love. Hold onto each other tightly, trust in your collective strength, and believe that, together, you will find your way through whatever lies ahead.

With hope, solidarity, and admiration,

Kshama R. Jaiswal, MD, FACS
Breast Oncologist
Huntsman Cancer Institute