By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

PICTURED: Local breast cancer survivors Misty Bruce (left) with her husband Eric, and Jenni Bobo (right) with her husband, William. (Submitted Photos)

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Two local women have fought and conquered the same type of breast cancer diagnosis within one year of each other.

Misty Bruce and Jenni Bobo were both diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma on February 20, 2014 and July 13, 2015, respectively. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, invasive lobular carcinoma is a type of breast cancer that starts in the milk-producing glands of the breast. Early symptoms include an area of thickening in part of the breast, a new area of fullness or swelling, or a change in the texture or appearance of the skin over the breast.

Bruce received eight chemotherapy treatments and 36 radiation treatments during her fight, while Bobo had four chemotherapy treatments and 20 radiation treatments. 

Misty Bruce has now been cancer free for six years as of February 2020. 

"The biggest fear I faced was if I was going to be alive to watch my children grow up," said Bruce. "I remember saying 'please take care of my kids' to my husband and family." 

"I would not have made it through my journey without my faith in God," she continued. "I committed to give it to God and that every step of my journey would glorify Him. God gave me a peace that no one else could."

Jenni Bobo has been cancer free for five years as of July 2020. 

"My first thought was: how will this affect my family? And how hard is it going to be to get through this?" said Bobo. "I was never sick, never tired, and never missed a ball game. You have to believe in yourself and the fight you're going through. If you have a bad day, so what? Your version of normal is changed forever. Lean on your family, love every day because those are gifts from God." 

Both of these survivors stated they felt so thankful to win their battles with this disease. This diagnosis changed both of their lives for the better, because "they wouldn't take anything for the journey...you realize what is important in life." 

On a personal note, please have your yearly mammogram and self-check because early detection could be the key to saying, "I'm a survivor."