April Munn

April Munn's Story

Moving Foward and Taking Chances

“Now, I see life with new eyes,” says April Munn, Admissions and Promotions Director and International Coordinator at Trinity Collegiate School, mom of two talented young adults, and friend to many, as she describes how breast cancer transformed her life. On March 17, 2020, just as the pandemic began to alter society, April’s world spiraled further. She was diagnosed with HER-2 Triple-Negative Stage 3 Breast Cancer. April commented, “I never knew there were so many different kinds of breast cancer.” Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for 10 to 15% of all breast cancers. “The term triplenegative breast cancer refers to the fact that the cancer cells don’t have estrogen or progesterone receptors and also don’t make too much of the protein called HER2,” as stated on cancer.org. April found a lump in her breast by accident. However, she ignored it and thought it would go away. “I do not advise ignoring what you find while doing a self-exam,” said April. “My cancer was fast-growing and cancer is nothing to play with.” Even though she had regularly scheduled mammograms, cancer didn’t show up until December of 2019. April was in shock at her diagnosis. She has no family history so it never occurred to her that this could be her life. The team at McLeod showed April great care through her journey. From diagnosis to chemo, surgery, and finishing with radiation, they were a constant encouragement. Her son, Carson, and daughter, Grace, became her rocks. “My son was actually the one that encouraged me to shave my head and take control once my hair began falling out from the chemo treatments.” Her family, friends and faith also helped them through the experience. “We had meals brought every night while I was going through chemo. I had such love and support around me, it truly made me appreciate Florence!” “Cancer changed me for the better,” says April. “It is an experience that I have learned to appreciate. Before, I was cautious and afraid of taking chances; I was guarded about everything. Now I see life with new eyes. It is a rebuilding year for me after cancer. I have learned through therapy to not be scared of things in life, to move forward and take chances, to love life and all that is ahead of me. The mental impact of chemotherapy is extreme, but it does build you into a stronger human.” Now that April has walked this journey, she looks forward to the day she can help someone else. “I have had people touch my life that I would have never met had I not experienced cancer.” April encourages others who are faced with this diagnosis to find someone that has walked this path before them. “There’s a special bond shared through those that are diagnosed with cancer.”