Yvonne Tou

Yvonne had been in the healthcare administration industry for 9 years when she felt a tightness in her left chest. At first she thought that it was from just doing too many push ups or she pulled a muscle. This can’t be possible, she has no family history of breast cancer. But when she examined the tightness closer, there it was, a lump. Yvonne waited 2 weeks to see her OB/GYN. Then got to have her first mammogram the day after Christmas followed by a fine needle aspiration. When Yvonne got the cancer call on the Monday before New Year’s in 2019, she realized that she would know what it’s like to be the person on the other side of the chart.Diagnosed at 37 and starting treatment in 2020, Yvonne got to experience a new healthcare environment with the introduction of Covid-19 into the world. Face masks became the norm, if not the trend for people to match with their outfits or rep their fave sports team, hobbies, interests, etc. Everyone was to keep 6 feet apart, if you were immunocompromised in any way it was advised to stay in. Shelter in place was enacted globally. Hospital patients weren’t allowed to have family and friends with them during treatments at all. This made the healing process very challenging. Yvonne had amazing support from her family and close friends in spite of these social distancing protocols. Yvonne finished her last chemo infusion in July 2020 when she ventured into UCSF’s gift shop. There she saw a book with a title that made her smile slightly under her hospital given mask. “Agony and Absurdity: Adventures in Cancerland. Young Women and Breast Cancer An Anthology.” This is how Yvonne found BAYS.

Yvonne has been a member of BAYS after her “active” treatment ended. She is currently on the committee for the 4th Anthology. Yvonne looks forward to helping the fellow members as BAYS has helped her with her survivorship journey.
“I think my biggest achievement is that after going through a rather difficult time I consider myself comparatively sane.” Jackie Kennedy