Young soldier hit by breast cancer diagnosis

Young soldier hit by breast cancer diagnosis

By Susanne M. Schafer - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Aug 2, 2008 16:38:11 EDT

FORT JACKSON, S.C. — As a mother of three with no health insurance and a low-wage job, 32-year-old Brandielee Marendo was thrilled to get into the Army.

Last year, she entered basic training full of hopes for a career in computers and high-tech air defense. Then she found a small lump in her breast during the third week of basic training.

A diagnosis of Stage II breast cancer meant a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and what could be years of follow-up medication. But it didn’t mean an immediate discharge.

Marendo is now assigned to Fort Jackson’s “Wounded Warrior Transition Unit,” one of 35 outfits for injured soldiers recuperating from combat, training injuries or any illness that keeps them from serving in their normal units.

“Just because I have this illness doesn’t mean in any way, shape or form that life stops along the way,” Marendo said recently as she sat in a military hospital with her weekly dose of medication flowing into a stent in her chest.
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