A voice for awareness and change.
Tonya Del Gallo
Story and makeup by Leslie Peck / Photo by Kate Treick Photography
One decade ago, Tonya Del Gallo received the news that no one wants to hear: a diagnosis of stage 2 invasive ductal breast cancer, which is linked to the BRCA1 gene that she carries. Bella Magazine told her story when she was in the thick of treatment 10 years ago. Now, she is doing better than ever and thriving through and after cancer with a zest for life, the love of family and knowledge she has learned along the way.
Del Gallo is a Pensacola native and has lived in East Hill with her husband, David Del Gallo, for 33 years. Together, they have two daughters, Anna and Carlie, and they own Advanced Construction Services, Inc. Del Gallo has gained so much knowledge throughout her treatment, and she wants nothing more than to share her story as a 10-year BRCA cancer survivor.
“My family and friends were my complete support throughout my 10-year journey. My husband and my daughters were absolutely wonderful as I went through everything, and their constant love and strength never wavered,” Del Gallo said.
Right after she found out about her diagnosis, there were multiple rounds of tests, PET scans, EKGs, chemo, radiation and multiple surgeries due to complications with tissue from radiation. Like most, losing her hair was not easy either, but she kept a positive attitude through it all. She continued to play tennis in two different leagues, showing up for many treatments in tennis clothes straight from the courts. She never let go of her fun sense of humor and determination to survive.
“I arrived in a Wonder Woman costume with a full fun wig to kick off my final two “Red Devil” chemo treatments. After the first, I was down and out. But on my last “Red Devil” treatment day, I wore a shirt with a large portrait of Jesus Christ on it that said, ‘We’re ready!’ I was so happy to complete chemotherapy and ring the golden bell at Sacred Heart,” Del Gallo said.
Del Gallo finished with 12 rounds of radiation, which successfully eradicated the cancer. Now, she does bloodwork twice a year and regular self-exams.
“Every lump or bump can feel like cancer,” she said. “The worry never really ends — there are insecurities and constant checkups. Vigilance is key. Your body is your temple. Any abnormality can lead to exams, surgeries, ultrasounds, or MRIs. My ovaries have been removed, and my recent pancreatic MRI came back clean.”
Still, she lives with the constant worry not knowing if it is really gone.
“Everyone has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, but when they become mutated, the risk of developing certain cancers increases significantly. The BRCA1 mutation is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and also increases the risk of pancreatic and prostate cancers. The BRCA2 mutation is linked to the same cancers as BRCA1, plus melanoma,” Del Gallo explained.
Through her journey, she was told that she could only get cancer from her mother’s side. It was years later that she got genetic testing with Dr. Lori Farmer and learned that half of our genes come from the mother’s side and half come from the father’s. There are cancer-causing genes that can come from either side. She had eight family members with cancers linked to the same BRCA1 gene mutation that she also carries. Had she known this when she was younger, she could have opted to have a prophylactic double mastectomy in hopes of preventing the breast cancer she later battled.
“Angelina Jolie made headlines in 2013 when she elected to have a double mastectomy after her own BRCA1 diagnosis. I hope everyone will be more conscious of family cancer histories. If someone in your family has had breast, ovarian, pancreatic or prostate cancer, consider genetic testing through a blood or saliva test,” Del Gallo said.
Her daughters were both tested. One was positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation, and the other was negative. The daughter who tested positive chose to have a prophylactic double mastectomy to reduce her risk and now monitors her ovaries twice a year.
Del Gallo is extremely grateful for Dr. Tarek Eldawy and Dr. Dany El-Saya, her oncologists; Dr. Jocelyn Leveque, her “plastic surgeon goddess,” and Leveque’s amazing staff; Dr. Michael Caluda, her surgeon; and all the hospital staff involved in her surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. Without these incredible people, Del Gallo believes she wouldn’t be here today.
“You have to keep on living — right through cancer and after. Practice healthy living and eating, exercise, keep a positive mindset and support friends going through their own cancer journeys. Do what you love, whether it’s gardening, traveling, playing tennis, camping, hiking, spa treatments or sipping a glass of wine while watching the sunset — do it! Have fun and live YOUR life. Cancer didn’t define me, it strengthened me,” Del Gallo said.
