Operation Enduring Freedom Air Force Veteran Ruth Muniz emerged from the hustle and bustle of the Bronx to the disciplined ranks of the military only to confront and defeat an unforeseen adversary—breast cancer.
Although thousands of Puerto Ricans have aided and fought alongside American colonists as early as the Revolutionary War, for Ruth’s Puerto Rican family it was still considered taboo for a woman to put on a uniform and pick up arms for the service of her country. These cultural barriers empowered her that much more to enlist as a bold opportunity to step outside of social norms and discover her greater purpose.
Of all the lessons learned from service, resiliency was ingrained in her like a tattoo. This mindset proved instrumental when she later confronted her diagnosis of breast cancer, propelling her to confront the disease head-on.
Despite an intuition that something was amiss after a mammogram, the formal diagnosis still struck Ruth deeply. As a mother to her only son, she says, “I remember in that moment grappling with concerns about my mortality and the future of my son as a single parent.”
With support from her close knit family and her VA health care team, she says with a sigh of relief, “I never felt alone in my battle with breast cancer. I don’t think I would have made it had it not been for my VA saving my life. They did not treat me as a number.”
“VA is the way.”
The initial life-threatening diagnosis clouded her mind with nightmares of no longer being by her son’s side. All of these thoughts instantly vanished once she connected with VA to discover a comprehensive suite of resources ranging from genetic testing to emotional support groups.
No longer is her personal calendar crowded with medical appointments. Instead, her professional calendar is scheduled helping her fellow Veteran brothers and sisters as a VA patient advocate.
“I have such a good relationship with my primary care team. I’ve never had a relationship like this with any of my providers in my entire life. VA is the way,” she shares.
From one Veteran breast cancer survivor to others currently battling, she urges Veterans during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month to remember their strengths: “You are going to make it out stronger than you were before. You are really going to know who has your back. Always build a connection with your primary care team and, most importantly, do not give up. You’re going to make it through this.”
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The primary care team I have is excellent, they actually spend time listening and waste no time ordering additional screenings when they see a concern.
This is such an uplifting story about an incredible young woman finding peace and purpose through her service and the VA. Thank you for your service, Ruth, and for sharing your story
Soon after I left the Air Force I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. They took out my entire thyroid. What an experience that was. Same year 3 months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am a very strong-willed women, but 2 types of cancer in the same year kicked my butt. Talk about needing some support. At that time there wasn’t a women’s department just a little office that did the basics. I had to go to 3 different hospitals to get the treatments. I now have a GP that is head of the women’s department here. Dr. Ansari is so AWESOME! She actually listens and sends me straight to the specialized departments. My health has decreased tremendously since my year of cancer, but she is always there for me as well as the specialized department nurses and Dr. Now I just need some guidance as to how to get the disability rating I am entitled.
What a victorious woman and prime example for others!