Survivor Series: Maryann Siniawski

Maryann Siniawski is a not one, not two, but a three-time cancer survivor. She was  first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 at 41 years old. The cancer came back  again in 2003 and after genetic testing showed she carries the BRCA2 mutation,  cancer was detected for the third time in 2014. She thanks God that she has been  cancer free for the last 29 years and now wants to do all that she can to raise  awareness for those who may find themselves in a similar situation. 

Almost 30 years ago, Siniawski went for a routine mammogram. Her doctor saw some  microcalcifications, but was confident they were benign. However he wanted to  perform a biopsy which, in fact, came back malignant. The early stage cancer was  treated with a lumpectomy followed by radiation. Seven years later, she had a  recurrence in the same breast. The cancer had infiltrated, so at that point she needed  to have a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy, which was one of the hardest  challenges she ever faced. 

“The chemotherapy was pretty intense and I seriously thought the chemo was going to  kill me. It was extremely tough for me. I missed my youngest son’s college graduation  because I was so sick after my first treatment. That was heartbreaking for me,”  Siniawski said. 

She would not have been able to have made it through her treatments without the help  of her family. Siniawski knows that it takes a community to get thru challenging times. 

“My husband was working full time, but was there for me for whatever I needed when  he wasn’t working. My Mom, who was still living at that time, was a big part of just  being with me during the day: taking me to treatments, cleaning, cooking, doing  laundry. She was with me as much as she could be,” she said. “When someone is  down and out, you try to be there for them. I never really needed anything because if  my Mom wasn’t there, my younger sister was. Of course I’m beyond grateful to my 

family. They always knew what I needed without me having to ask. They were always  there for me.” 

Six years after Siniawski finished treatment, her younger sister, Sue Straatman, was  diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Siniawski did everything she could to be there for her  sister, as was their Mom.  

“When going thru cancer treatment, stay strong which is easier said than done. Keep  your faith, rely on your family and your friends for help, trust your medical team, and  never think any questions you have are insignificant or not worth asking,” she said. “I  think a big help is just put one foot in front of the other, take one day at a time. If you  feel you can’t get through the day, break it down hour by hour. And if you can’t get  through an hour, break it down minute by minute. Just try and stay strong,” she said. 

Their father had previously died from prostate cancer when he was only 58 years old.  After Siniawski and Straatman had battled cancer, the sisters went to a genetic  counselor where they were informed that the three cancers were related. After having  the genetic test, both sisters found out that they carried the BRCA2 genetic mutation,  which explained their higher risk of contracting cancer. Siniawski’s son was later  diagnosed with prostate cancer at the young age of 41. He, too, is BRCA2 positive.  Siniawski said that cancer hit her family pretty hard.  

While the decision to have the genetic testing is a very personal one, she thinks it is  better to know if you have the mutation or not. Knowledge is power. Their older sister  tested negative for the mutation. Siniawski’s younger son was tested and also has the  BRCA2 mutation. Siniawski has 5 grandchildren who should be tested when they  become eligible age wise to test (if they choose) because the mutation is present in  their fathers. Siniawski’s oldest granddaughter was tested as soon as she turned 18  and, thankfully, does not carry the mutation.

“If you have the genetic mutation, there’s a 50% chance of passing that mutation down  to your children. It doesn’t mean that they’re going to get cancer, it just means that  they have to be more proactive with pre-screening and testing.” she said. 

Siniawski said that while she feels blessed to currently be cancer free, it is also  sometimes hard to be a survivor. Many survivors suffer with “survivors guilt”. To know  that you are here and alive while you have friends or family who didn’t make it is  devastating. However, when around other survivors, she cannot help but feel  empowered.  

“There’s nothing like being together with a group of cancer survivors. They call it a  “sisterhood” and we call each other “warriors”. Every story is different, but yet you’re  all connected because you are a survivor. We’ve all been through a lot, so just seeing  other survivors with their community of fellow warriors makes my heart full. 

Siniawski said that the most rewarding part for her now is going to events to help raise  awareness and to support the cancer community. She explained that it is so important  for women to both pass along knowledge and to be aware of their bodies. 

From speaking at last year’s National Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s (NOCC) Annual Walk,  to tying teal ribbons around trees for ovarian cancer awareness, to volunteering around  Northwest Indiana and Illinois at various events, Siniawski does everything she can to  support ovarian cancer education and awareness. There isn’t as much awareness of  ovarian cancer as there is of breast cancer, so Siniawski is helping her younger sister  with this mission. Her sister, Sue, co-founded a local group called Teal Hearts of  Northwest Indiana, which Siniawski helps with.  

Through everything she’s been through, Siniawski says she has her family and God to  thank. “My religion, my Higher Power – it’s all about my faith. You know you’re putting  your trust in the unknown and you just need emotional support from all sides. We’re  very blessed because we’re a very close knit family. My love for my family is what got  me through,” she said.