Montrealmom.com
  • Being Mom
    • Planning /Pregnant
    • Mom of Infant
    • Mom of Toddler
    • Mom of Schoolage Child
    • Mom Of Teen
    • Mom of Twins or More
  • Life
    • Time Management
    • Work & Entrepreneurship
    • Family & Relationships
    • Childcare & Education
    • Money
    • Me.
  • Fun
    • Event Calendar
    • Crafts & Activities at Home
    • Organized Activities
    • Outings
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Disney Fun
  • Food
    • Recipes
      • All
      • Baby Food Recipes
      • Beef
      • Beverages
      • Breads
      • Desserts
      • Eggs & Dairy
      • Fish
      • Pasta
      • Poultry
      • Salads
      • Sauces & Dressings
      • Sides
      • Snacks
      • Soups
      • Vegetarian
    • Menu Planning
    • Nutrition
    • Entertaining
  • Lifestyle
    • Health & Safety
    • Home & Garden
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Weight Watchers
    • Shopping
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • DIY
    • Living Green
    • Montreal
  • Travel
    • Family
    • Travel Tips
    • Disney
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Apps & Tech
    • Automotive
    • Products & Services
    • Toys
  • Directory
    • Activity Centers
    • Caterering / Pret À Manger
    • Classes
    • Home Services
    • Parties and Related Services
    • Photographers
    • Professional Services
    • Services
    • Services for Mom
  • Work with Us
  • About
    • About Us
    • In the Media
  • Contact

Montrealmom.com

  • Being Mom
    • Planning /Pregnant
    • Mom of Infant
    • Mom of Toddler
    • Mom of Schoolage Child
    • Mom Of Teen
    • Mom of Twins or More
  • Life
    • Time Management
    • Work & Entrepreneurship
    • Family & Relationships
    • Childcare & Education
    • Money
    • Me.
  • Fun
    • Event Calendar
    • Crafts & Activities at Home
    • Organized Activities
    • Outings
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Disney Fun
  • Food
    • Recipes
      • All
      • Baby Food Recipes
      • Beef
      • Beverages
      • Breads
      • Desserts
      • Eggs & Dairy
      • Fish
      • Pasta
      • Poultry
      • Salads
      • Sauces & Dressings
      • Sides
      • Snacks
      • Soups
      • Vegetarian
    • Menu Planning
    • Nutrition
    • Entertaining
  • Lifestyle
    • Health & Safety
    • Home & Garden
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Weight Watchers
    • Shopping
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • DIY
    • Living Green
    • Montreal
  • Travel
    • Family
    • Travel Tips
    • Disney
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Apps & Tech
    • Automotive
    • Products & Services
    • Toys
  • Directory
    • Activity Centers
    • Caterering / Pret À Manger
    • Classes
    • Home Services
    • Parties and Related Services
    • Photographers
    • Professional Services
    • Services
    • Services for Mom
  • Work with Us
  • About
    • About Us
    • In the Media
  • Contact
CommunityEvent CalendarHealth & SafetyLifeLifestyleMontreal

Jana’s Story

written by Tanya Toledano

Meet Jana.  She is a wife. She is a busy mother of two gorgeous daughters.  She is a devoted daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend. She is a Dietician who specializes in helping those with gastroenterological issues, with an emphasis on Celiac Disease.
She’s a Montrealer and above all, she is a woman.

Jana’s mom is a breast cancer survivor, having gone through 8 rounds of chemo and 5 weeks of radiation during the time that Jana was pregnant with her first daughter.  During that same period, Jana’s maternal grandmother was also diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time.

Given the family history, Jana’s mom was tested at the Jewish General Hospital to see if she carried any of the genetic mutations known to cause breast cancer.  She tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation.  As a result, Jana and her grandmother were tested.
They both tested positive.

So what did this mean?  It meant that Jana, then Mom to one beautiful baby girl, had a 60-80% likelihood of developing breast cancer as well as up to a 40% likelihood of developing ovarian cancer. A scary proposition for any woman, especially one who still wanted another child.

Jana was monitored very carefully for 5 years with mammograms, MRI’s and both breast & pelvic ultrasounds.

Once Jana’s second daughter was born, she knew she had to make a decision.  Would she continue with all of this or would she “bite the bullet” and opt for prophylactic bilateral mastectomies and an oopherectomy?

Although not an easy decision to make, Jana, with the full support of her husband, decided to have the mastectomies done. An then, in  July of 2010, a new nodule was discovered, and for 5 weeks Jana consulted with various doctors.  When the radiologist who read her results looked Jana in the eye and said that if she were in Jana’s shoes she’d have the surgery right away, Jana decided she would no longer wait.

As she puts it “I always said that if EVER I were to get breast cancer I would have mastectomies done so the way I see it, I’d rather do this now while I am young and reasonably healthy and bypass the chemo, radiation and all of their unpleasant side effects.”

Immediately prior to having her mastectomies done, Jana decided to get photographed, so that she could remember her body “as it was”.  With the help and pampering of the talented Christina Esteban, she had a photo session where she told me she was “made to feel like a princess”.

In November 2010, the mastectomies were done and over the next 9 months, Jana went through the process of reconstruction which was at times painful. Gratefully, it turned out that the nodule was benign and with the mastectomies done, Jana’s risk of breast cancer has been reduced by 90-95%.

This upcoming year, Jana will complete her cancer prevention surgeries by having all of her reproductive organs removed.

As we gasp at the thought, here’s what Jana has to say about it: “I am grateful for having been given this crystal ball and although I am still nervous about what lies ahead, I am doing this for my daughters, husband and my dear family and friends who I am sure would like me around as long as possible”

Perspective. We can all learn from Jana.  From her courage, her gratitude and her positive attitude.

And yes Jana, we would all like to have you around for as long as possible. 🙂

On Monday, May 14th at 6:00 PM, Jana, together with her mom, Denise, will be honoured by the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Foundation at Wearing our Jeans, Sharing our Genes.

The event takes place at Cinemas Guzzo’s Mega-Plex Spheretech in Ville St-Laurent and  is an exclusive night out at the movies with great food and drinks and makes for the PERFECT night out.

Jana is grateful to HBOC and their research as she credits them for the fact that she will hopefully not have to suffer from breast or ovarian cancers as so many women have.

Mark the date on your calendars. It’s Girls’ Night Out. Bring your mom, your sister, your friends-Bring ’em all!  Let’s honour Jana & her mom for their courage. Let’s support HBOC for the work they do that ultimately benefits each and every one of us.

You can click here for further information.

Feel free to leave comments for Jana. She’ll be reading…

Hoping to see you on May 14th!

Tanya

Jana’s Story was last modified: March 4th, 2016 by Tanya Toledano
12 comments
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Tanya Toledano

previous post
We Shall Never Forget.
next post
Why I’m Lovin’ Looneyspoons & How You Can WIN a Copy!

You may also like

Clarity: Chicken or Egg?

July 22, 2011

Our Family’s Experience with the Ford Expedition

April 17, 2019

Getting the Kids on Skis for the Very First Time

January 22, 2015

Share your #MagieMTL moments

December 28, 2016

Dollard Fine Arts Day Camp : 7 Reasons Why it is a Fine Choice Indeed :)

May 16, 2016

Bee Aware: Continuing to Educate Ourselves and Our Kids About Why Bees Matter

July 25, 2017

Lifeforia- A Hidden Gem (of a Spa!)

June 8, 2015

A Million Tabs to a Wheelchair-An Interview with Jonah

November 28, 2011

BOOM at the Segal Centre – DO. NOT. MISS.

March 25, 2016

Goodnight Laptop, Goodnight Cell…

November 8, 2012

12 comments

Holly April 20, 2012 at 11:16 pm

Jana,

Even though I am already aware of your story, I decided to read it again. Again, I am reminded of your incredible strength, courage and love of life! You are definitely at the top of my “Sheroes” list!

XO,

Holly

Reply
Jana April 21, 2012 at 10:13 pm

Thank you Holly!xoxo

Reply
Nathalie April 21, 2012 at 12:14 am

Jana, I am so excited to be meeting you! You have courage like no other woman I know. Your story is sure to resonate with lots of women, it certainly has for me!

Reply
Jana April 21, 2012 at 10:15 pm

Nathalie, You are as brave as I am, if not moreso. Cant wait to see you on Monday! I am here for you and for anything you need. I promise.

Reply
Tracey Beth April 23, 2012 at 8:10 pm

You look beautiful in your photo shoot.
You have handled a very scary situation with courage and grace. Your favourite former neighbour.

Reply
Jana April 24, 2012 at 7:38 am

Thank you tracey!xoxo

Reply
Cheryl April 24, 2012 at 9:39 am

Jana,
You are a true inspiration to all women. Your courage and strength are enviable.
You have given your family and friends the best gift ever- YOU!
Best wishes of health and happiness to you and your family.

Reply
Jana April 24, 2012 at 6:57 pm

That is so sweet of you, Cheryl! Thank you for your kind words and good wishes 🙂

Reply
Stephanie May 8, 2012 at 4:04 pm

I can not tell you enough how amazingly courageous you are. You are such an incredible mom and I will be celebrating YOU this mother’s day!

Reply
Jana May 8, 2012 at 6:47 pm

stephanie, you are too sweet. i’m really no different than any other mom. we all have our challenges, obstacles, and issues and we should ALL be celebrated!

Reply
Leslie May 8, 2012 at 6:37 pm

I’m so proud to have a family full of such strong women. You’re journey (past, present, and future) is an inspiration.
xoxo

Reply
Jana May 8, 2012 at 6:47 pm

i love you leslie.xoxo

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • GIVEAWAY: Enter for Your Chance to WIN One of Fifteen Family Packs of Four Passes to See the Montreal Advance Screening of Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’

  • GIVEAWAY: Enter for a Chance to WIN One of Ten Family Packs of Four Passes to See the Montreal Advance Screening of Disney’s Strange World!

  • NEW! Pre-K Program in the West Island at Inventor STEM School!

  • It Took Me Over Two Years To Let My Guard Down…and Less Than Two Days to Test Positive.

  • GIVEAWAY: ENTER for a Chance to WIN One of Five FAMILY PACKS OF FOUR PASSES to See the Montreal Advance Screening of Disney and Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ !

Subscribe to our Newsletter

  • #GIVEAWAYALERT Who would like to see the Montreal Advance Screening of Marvel Studios’ 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quant… https://t.co/lzjoGC9Ohk

    01-Feb-2023

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • Must share that I LOVE @TommyBahama -and that it’s available online in #Canada 💗 Not only are the dresses the BEST…… https://t.co/mHrgGKHFIc

    12-Dec-2022

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • #GIVEAWAYALERT ENTER for a chance to WIN one of 10 FAMILY PACKS OF FOUR PASSES to see the Montreal Advance Screenin… https://t.co/FRs4UGrUqU

    08-Nov-2022

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • Still looking for a Pre-K program with an enriching and educational experience in a half-day format? You'll be thri… https://t.co/xyrdoJ4SGd

    15-Aug-2022

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • #GIVEAWAYAlert Who would like to see the Montreal Advance Screening of Disney and Pixar's 'Lightyear'?!? ENTER… https://t.co/riTuuYJQgM

    07-Jun-2022

    Reply Retweet Favorite
team-teluspg-mom-badge

Archives

Categories

LATEST FROM INSTAGRAM

Follow on Instagram

AS SEEN ON TV

Subscribe to montrealmomTV on YouTube to be the first to see Tanya's latest videos.
  • Our Family’s Experience with the Ford Expedition

Subscribe to our Newsletter

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • Periscope
Footer Logo

© 2016 montrealmom.com. All rights reserved  |  Powered by Red Dream Studios


Back To Top
We use cookies on our website to give you the best experience on our website. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT