Buddy Check: Mary Lisa Lada

Forty Fort, Luzerne County- It's not a death sentence like it used to be.  It's just a speed bump in your life that your going to get through."
5 months ago Mary Lisa Lada's life changed when she hit what she calls a speed bump.
"Back in August I noticed that my breast was swollen.  Didn't have a lump or anything."
The mother of 2 was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"It's a very scary thing to go through.  Just the word cancer that was the hardest thing for me to get through because you would think "oh my gosh."  like I would just wake up in the middle of the  night and say that word "cancer and it's just overwhelming." said Mary Lisa Lada

Lada says one of the hardest things about her battle is losing her hair from chemotherapy....
She has not gone out in public without a wig or a hat on her head... Until now.

 
"She has this strength within her that you know comes deep, it's like a belly deep."  said Nancy Farber of Candy's Place.

Although she says her husband of 33 years has been a huge support through all of this....
A special place called the center for cancer wellness or Candy's Place offers Lada helpful resources during one of the hardest times of her life.

 
"This is the time in your life where you need to reach out and ask for help and you'll be surprised about the people who will be there to help you, but you need it and you can't do it alone." said Farber

With just one more round of chemo to go and a new granddaughter waiting at home... Lada's positive attitude is a sure sign she will come out on top in this fight for her life.

 
"Just to be cancer free that's what I am looking forward to and enjoying my family and not having to worry about anything."

And don't forget, this is your reminder to call your buddy and remind her -- or him -- to do a breast self-exam.
      It's a call that could save a life.