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Dayna Bell's Story

At age 29, the last thing on my mind was cancer. I was busy planning my wedding and working as a speech pathologist. I had a faint family history, but nothing that caused me concern. 

When I discovered the lump in my breast, I had it checked immediately. "It's nothing to worry about," my doctor from another hospital said. However, a few months later, it had grown bigger and so had my worries. I was rechecked by another physician and, only three days before my 30th birthday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Suddenly, my world was turned upside down. I was supposed to get married in three months! Luckily, the physicians and staff at the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC started me on treatment right away. 

I had a lumpectomy, eight weeks of chemotherapy and 36 daily radiation treatments. Dr. Paul Celano and his staff knew about my upcoming wedding and assured me that I would still be a blushing bride. 

Two months before the wedding, I began losing my hair, so my fiancé shaved my head. In November 2007, we had our dream wedding in Disney World and, although I wore a wig, I still felt like a princess. 

In March 2008, I completed my treatment. Instead of being excited, I felt scared. What if the cancer came back? Dr. Celano reassured me that I would be back for follow-up appointments, and that he was only a phone call away. 

I did end up back at GBMC in February 2010, but this time for a much happier occasion - the birth of my daughter, Ellie. Having a child was something I always dreamed of, but I was unsure if it would ever happen after my diagnosis. 

Now that I have a daughter, I got tested for the breast cancer gene at the Harvey Institute for Human Genetics at GBMC. I thought it was important to find out, not only for me, but for her. I tested positive for the gene and had a double mastectomy with reconstruction at GBMC in 2011. I am thankful to have made this decision and appreciate the support offered by the entire GBMC team. 

GBMC saved my life and helped me bring a new life into the world. You can't ask for much more than that.

 
Related Providers
View more info
Paul Celano, MD, FACP, FASCO
Paul Celano, MD, FACP, FASCO

Medical Oncology

Accepting new patients

GBMC Health Partners

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Dongyan Liu, MD

Hematology

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