Real Housewives of New Jersey's Amber Marchese Ready to Battle Cancer Again "With Grace, Positivity & Faith"

Bravo star reveals her plans to have another mastectomy and more surgery

By Mike Vulpo, Beth Sobol May 06, 2015 7:45 PMTags
Amber MarcheseCharles Sykes/Bravo

Real Housewives of New Jersey star Amber Marchese is ready to beat breast cancer.

After spending more than five years in remission, the Bravo star has revealed to E! News that she is battling the disease all over again. But just like the first time, Marchese is ready to fight.

"I'm going to handle this with grace, positivity and faith," she told E! News Wednesday. "I don't know why this is happening to me, but it is. So I have to turn it into an opportunity to raise awareness. Some good has to come from this."

Less than two weeks ago, Jim Marchese revealed to us that his wife had surgery to remove a lump in her breast. At the time, he said it was too early to officially report her cancer had returned. Unfortunately, doctors later confirmed the news nobody wants to hear.

Alex Martinez/Bravo

"I went in for surgery on the 20th. On the 23rd, the surgeon called to say it wasn't good news. It was cancer," Amber revealed to E! News. "In my mind, I said ‘Is this a joke?' But I didn't say it because I knew it wasn't."

She continued, "It's a hard thing to wrap your arms around. I wasn't prepared to talk about it yet."

Today, Amber is moving forward and trying to figure out the smartest way to battle her diagnosis. On May 18, the 37-year-old will have another mastectomy. She will then begin radiation after the surgery.

Andrei Jackamets/Bravo

"Nothing surprises me anymore. I realize how nasty this disease can be. I'm a health nut, so this is just really confusing," she admitted. "But I have to let my ego and my pride go and realize this happens to a lot of people and I'm no different than anyone else."

Between her Catholic faith, the love of her family and the support of her co-stars—Jacqueline Laurita, Melissa Gorga, Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri have all reached out—the reality star hopes things can get back to normal soon.

"I am physically strong and through my spiritual faith, I am mentally strong," Amber recently shared with her Twitter followers. "God willing, I can put this all behind me and simply be mom again."

(E! and Bravo are part of the NBCUniversal family)