Norma Martinez was living a pretty normal life up until 2010.
However, once she hit her 40s, her doctor started to insist that she have a mammogram. After two years of putting it off, Norma finally went in to get checked.
It was then that she was told that she had Stage 1 Breast Cancer.

When Norma first received the news, she fell to her knees, sobbing.
“I couldn’t stop crying. And I couldn’t believe it.” Norma says.

The doctor had her come in to do two biopsies and an ultrasound, just to be sure that it was cancer.
Once confirming that it was, the doctor told Norma that they needed to complete a mastectomy as soon as possible; they needed to get the cancer out of her body right away.

Nine years later, Norma says that she is still working through the aftereffects of the surgery. She still wakes up and finds it difficult to look at herself in the mirror; she struggles to see herself as a whole woman.

“I’m still working through it… I remember waking up after I had the surgery and looking down… it broke me. It’s a fighting battle every day, I want to stay happy and positive. But I am cancer-free and I am a survivor.”

Norma witnessed her own mother go through chemo, and she knew that she didn’t want to endure that. And although she had to undergo her mastectomy and is still working through the recovery process, she’s so grateful to still be here with her family.

“You want to fight to be with your kids and grandkids - that’s why I keep fighting.”

To anyone who is living cancer-free, Norma has a passionate message for you:

“If you feel something wrong, go get checked. Your life is the most important thing in this world. Trust your gut and go to the doctor. There are options out there. And for those who have been recently diagnosed… It’s hard at first. I felt like I was half a woman, but I’m alive. I have the strength and courage to keep moving forward.”

Central Rent 2 Own is honored to have customers like Norma Martinez and is truly thankful that she is willing to share her vulnerable and brave story to help other fighters find hope.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you would like more information about how you can join the cause to help women in need, go to https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/. Central R2O is fundraising all month long to help women like Shannon, Norma and others. Please help in the fight to end breast cancer by clicking on our fundraising page and donating something. Everything helps and we're so honored to be part of this great effort. (100% of the proceeds will go to the foundation.) http://idaho.info-komen.org/site/TR/DIYFundraising/BOI_IdahoMontanaAffiliate?px=25377113&pg=personal&fr_id=6607