Andrea OTTAIANO

For over a decade, Andrea has been inspiring people by thriving with cancer.  What was initially a breast cancer diagnosis progressed into a varied cancer (in her bones and liver) that she lives with to this day. Her mental health and emotional strength, combined with being an unyielding advocate for her own health, has empowered her to see this as a physical condition to manage - not a sickness. While she has undergone traditional cancer treatments and is on medication currently, she has blended them with alternative modalities and an incredibly healthy and mindful lifestyle.

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To share what she has been through...Andrea was diagnosed with stage 3 locally advanced breast cancer in January 2007. She did the whole treatment regimen of chemo, surgery and radiation. She had textured expanders put in June 2007 and had Allergan Naturalle silicone implants put in April 2008. She had weird blackout episodes and never felt great but was coming off cancer and was on tamoxifen. By November 2010, the cancer spread to her chest wall. She went back in for chemo every three weeks. From 2013 - 2015, the cancer bounced from her lung to various parts of her liver and she aggressively pursued surgeries. She did SIRT radio beads all while on chemo with implants. By 2016, the capsular contracture was so bad that she could no longer run, ski or do any specific sports. She finally explanted on May 28, 2019, after 3 years of researching a surgeon that is an expert in that area and understanding the complexities of breast implants.

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She sees the need to share her experience with people that need it most; the other people diagnosed with cancer and the families who love them. She wants to help people reframe and smartly manage this condition; she wants to empower them to think positively, to know about their options, and to choose the path they feel most confident with. She wants to guide them in healing and managing cancer while still fully, beautifully, and deeply living their lives.

💞(written by our BII sister Denise Peske) 

As a certified health coach, she is so knowledgeable in natural treatments and she continues to find a balance between eastern and western medicine to combat this cancer card she has been dealt. Andrea is amazing in doing her own research, finding out what natural remedies, supplements or vitamin drips would be best for her body. Although there are occasional twists and turns in her cancer journey, Andrea has achieved the ability to manage her cancer like no one else I know. She continues to battle and inspire others to take their health into their own hands. 

In addition to tended to her own health challenges, Andrea is also a very busy wife and mother. She is dedicated to her family and their needs as well. On top of all this, she still manages to find time and energy to run and complete 5k races. What an all around, amazing women and inspiration! 💪🏽💞