LaTeacha Coleman - “Follow Our Dreams”

LaTeacha Coleman, Fayetteville, NC

A vivacious beauty pageant winner, LaTeacha Coleman, of Fayetteville, didn’t expect to find two lumps in her breast since the 25-year-old had no history of breast cancer in her family.

When she underwent a biopsy in December 2007, she learned that one lump was a fibroid and the other lump was cancer. Her husband, Demetris, arrived home from a tour of duty in Iraq, the day after her procedure and was with her when she learned the results.

She decided to come to UNC to seek a second opinion.  Coleman brought her own team with her to meet with the UNC team of Drs. David Ollila  and Claire Dees. Her mother, husband and grandmother were all with her as the UNC breast cancer specialists discussed possible treatment options. “It was important to me to have my family with me. They could hear what the doctors were proposing and could help me ask all the questions to make a good decision.”

She underwent a mastectomy in February 2008, followed by a chemotherapy regimen which will finish in July.  The regimen was scheduled so that Coleman would be finished before her trip to New Jersey in August to compete in the East Coast USA pageant.  For her talent competition, Coleman said, “I could use the excuse of just finishing chemo and not do something active, such as sing, but I decided to develop a baton and dance routine to challenge myself.” Following the competition, she will undergo a breast reconstructive surgery in August.

“I plan to use my pageant title to let women know that even though I am a cancer survivor that we as women can still be beautiful and continue to follow our dreams.”

Coleman recalls her reaction when she learned she had cancer. “You never think it it will be you, and when I found out it was, I almost blacked out.  I decided not to stop work and to get on with my life throughout the surgery and chemo.” Coleman is an assistant director of a daycare center.

Coleman and her husband decided not to pursue fertility preservation options because of possible side effects and the need to begin the chemotherapy regimen. Demetris is back in North Carolina now and will be with her as she completes her therapy and undergoes the reconstructive surgery.

Of her UNC team she says, “ When you come to UNC they make you feel like you’re their only patient. Everyone is sympathetic and wants to help you.”