Coaching Through Cancer
LaTrenda has spent her life helping others find their purpose, overcome challenges, and embrace personal growth. As a life coach, she empowers people to take control of their futures. But when she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer three months ago, she faced a test of her own resilience—one she is still fighting today.
Triple-negative breast cancer is defined by the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors and a lack of excess HER2 protein. Because it doesn’t respond to hormone therapies, it requires an intense, targeted treatment approach. True to her nature, LaTrenda has turned her diagnosis into a lesson, not just for herself but for those she continues to inspire.
One morning, in the shower, she ran her hand across her chest and felt something unfamiliar—a lump. She checked again. And again. Still unsure, she waited three weeks, hoping it would go away. When it didn’t, she knew it was time to take action.
A mammogram and ultrasound confirmed her worst fear. Soon after, she heard the words no one ever wants to hear: stage one triple-negative breast cancer. It was aggressive but treatable. LaTrenda, who had always guided others through life’s most challenging moments, now had to coach herself through this new reality.
At first, she worried about finding care nearby until her doctor referred her to Astera Cancer Care’s Jersey City office, which is just 15 minutes from home. She knew she was in the right place from the moment she walked in.
“From day one, I knew I wasn’t just another patient,” she said. “They see you, the whole person. That makes all the difference.”
LaTrenda saw Astera's oncologist, Dr. Amit Patel, and breast surgeon Dr. Darren Sachs. They both took the time to answer her every question and adjusted her treatment plan around her schedule so she could continue working. The staff was kind and patient, and the office felt welcoming. These things mattered. They helped her trust her team at a time when trust meant everything.
Her treatment began with chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove the tumor. The hardest decision still looms. Should she undergo a lumpectomy and keep her left breast, or opt for a double mastectomy? She hasn’t made that choice yet. For now, she is taking it one step at a time, focusing on the treatment still ahead.
For someone so independent, the most challenging part of this journey hasn’t been the treatments. It has been learning to ask for help.
“I’ve spent my life helping others. I’ve always been the strong one. So, asking for help? That’s been the hardest part.”
People rallied around her after the diagnosis. Friends and family flooded her with messages of support, and her ongoing support has inspired her next goal.
Even amid treatment, LaTrenda is already thinking about how she can help others. She plans to launch a breast cancer foundation to assist those who, like her, may not qualify for traditional financial assistance. She understands firsthand how cancer shifts every aspect of life. Medical bills, daily expenses, transportation, and nutrition become even more critical after diagnosis.
“Cancer doesn’t just affect your body. It changes your whole life. And if I can make that a little easier for someone else, that’s what I want to do.”
She wants to ensure that others have access to the help they need so they can focus on healing. If there’s one thing LaTrenda knows, it’s that healing isn’t just about medicine. It’s about mindset, support, and knowing you’re not alone.
“This journey has given me much to think about,” she reflects. “But I don’t waste time blaming myself. I trust my doctors. I trust the process. And I trust that I’m going to beat this.”
As she continues treatment, LaTrenda hopes to show others that even in life’s most challenging moments, there is still light to be found and a path forward waiting to be created.