BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Holly Digilarmo of Bonita Springs started getting mammograms at age 39.

Doctors recommend all women start getting regular mammograms at age 40, so Digilarmo was actually beginning a year early. That made it even more surprising when she was diagnosed in 2017.

“In 2017, Hurricane Irma happened and I was displaced, I have mammograms every year and because of the hurricane… had delayed a few months. Next thing you know, I felt a lump,” she said. 

It was a diagnosis she wasn’t prepared for, and she had no choice but to face it.

“Lo and behold it was breast cancer,” said Digilarmo.

One in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Unfortunately, Digilarmo was that one.

“My cancer was ERPR positive which means it’s estrogen and progesterone fed and from then on it was just that battle. I had a lumpectomy; I had a drain the whole 9 yards,” she said.

She battled through five months of chemo and 33 rounds of harsh radiation.

“I had a chemo, called act — its Adriamycin, they call it the red devil, and Cyclophosphamide, I had those first and then I had Taxol, I lost my hair after the second treatment had to shave my head… get the wig… just went through it all,” Digilarmo said.

What helped her get through this?

“When you look at your family, I have two sons, I just wanted to keep living for them and you just keep pushing through; you have to survive,” she said.

Digilarmo’s journey was something she said was painful but transformational.

“There’s definitely a purpose through your pain, I used to be ‘Holly Strong’ when I first got diagnosed and then every year after that, I’m stronger,” she said.

Now five years later, Digilarmo is stronger than ever before; and meeting a major milestone.

“They say you’re five once you make it to your five, your chances of reoccurrence are smaller so that’s a big milestone. I know my doctor, she has a five-year pin board. I cannot wait to pin it!” she said.

Digilarmo is truly is using her pain for a purpose. Now educating others on the importance of checking yourself, but also seeing a doctor and creating a relationship with them.

“I’ve always thought of my doctor as one of my best friends,” she said. “If you need to develop a relationship like that with a physician and if you don’t have it, you should change providers because you have to tell them everything you’re feeling, everything that’s going on, mental health, physical health to stay on top of things. You never know what’s gonna come pop up or happen to you.”

Today, she’s forging a new path to being happy and healthy.

“I’ve been through a lot in life… I know that I went through breast cancer for a purpose because each year I become stronger, healthier, my bloodwork’s finally perfect, my mammograms are clear, a big part of recovery is diet and exercise. I’m getting plenty of it,” Digilarmo said.