Community Corner

Trenton Breast Cancer Survivor Finds Hope in a Song

Trenton resident and breast cancer survivor Carri DeMaggio finds time for herself amongst her often chaotic life.

Carri DeMaggio, 42, of Trenton said the Martina McBride song “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” best describes her life.

DeMaggio has metastatic stage-4 cancer that has affected her spine and liver causing her severe pain. Her immediate family has become her support system through her battle with cancer.

"The song literally could be about my life," DeMaggioa said. "Mostly it's dedicated to caregivers."

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Like in the song DeMaggio was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was around 38 years old. She has three children and a husband, “who need her in their lives," she said.

In the song, women battling cancer depend on their immediate family for strength and support. DeMaggio said her family, especially her husband, has helped her through some of the worst times of her life.

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The DeMaggio family includes husband Michael, 40; daughter Cheyanne, 15; son Tyler, 13; and son Dominic, 5.

Demaggio was nursing then 6-month-old Dominic and felt a “rice-sized lump” in her right breast and decided to have it checked out by a doctor.

Her doctor told her it was nothing and the lump was related to breast-feeding, but DeMaggio continued to worry.

DeMaggio said she was lying on a massage table trying to relax, when all she could think about was that tiny “rice-sized lump” causing her so much physical pain and discomfort. She then decided to get a second mammogram.

“All I could feel, all I could focus on was that one spot,” DeMaggio said.

Rock star Sheryl Crow gives a testimonial at the start of the YouTube video for the song stating, “when you are diagnosed with cancer everybody around you is diagnosed as well.”

DeMaggio said her family has been through many of the ups and the downs of living with cancer and she is grateful.

In her first bout with cancer DeMaggio lost all of her hair and was constantly sick. She received radiation treatment and both of her breasts were removed.

Soon she began to get better and had reconstructive surgery to rebuild her breasts.

After three years of living virtually cancer free, DeMaggio said the cancer came back and was even more aggressive.

She is currently taking oral chemotherapy, which works to kill the cancer cells quickly before they spread further into her body.

Doctors are optimistic about DeMaggio’s chances of survival and she, herself, said she would be there for her youngest son Dominic’s high school graduation.

Near the end of the song the main character begins to lose hope and says, "I don't think I can do this anymore" and her husband "wrapped his arms around her and said 'That's what my love is for.'"

Carri said she finds her strength in Michael and though things aren't always perfect she approeciates him for his love and support.

Through sickness causing treatments, fights with insurance companies over coverage and household chores Michael said he wants to be there for Carri and help her find balance in her life.

"Take people up on their offer to help," DeMaggio said. "Don't do it alone and be honest and let people know exactly how you are really feeling."


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