Story of Courage: Gwendolen Olivarez’s Breast Cancer Journey
At just 33 years old, Gwendolen Olivarez heard the words that changed everything:
“You have breast cancer.”
It was January 2017. Gwendolen had been diagnosed with Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer.
Her heart dropped, and everything around her went blank. She walked to her car and cried as countless thoughts raced through her mind. Above everything else, she worried about her two boys.
Facing the Unknown With Faith and Family
As Gwendolen faced the uncertainty ahead, her parents, who had always been her rocks, covered her in prayer. They prayed for strength, healing and the courage she would need throughout treatment.
Her breast cancer journey included 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction and three additional reconstructive surgeries. She also shared that Tamoxifen was part of her treatment.
There were difficult days, but Gwendolen never walked through them alone.
She leaned on God and the love of her parents, her boys, her brother, close family and friends. Their prayers and support helped carry her through the days when everything felt too heavy to face by herself.
Celebrating Gwendolen Olivarez’s Nine Years in Remission
Today, Gwendolen is celebrating nine years in remission.
She continues praying that God blesses her with many more years beside the people she fought so hard to remain here for.
Her story speaks to the importance of faith, family and having people beside you through life's hardest moments. It also reflects the determination of a mother who had so much she wanted to live for.
Gwendolen shares these words:
“The devil whispers, ‘You’re not strong enough to withstand the storm.’ The warrior replies, ‘I am the storm.’”
No One Fights Alone
Gwendolen, the Ladies In The Outdoors & Dolls and Does Collective community honors you as a mother, survivor and woman of courage.
Thank you for sharing your story and reminding another woman facing cancer that she deserves love, encouragement and support through every part of her journey.
NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE.
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