Tomball resident Georgi Landau was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2009.

She had a bilateral mastectomy, followed by three years of weekly chemotherapy. But the cancer hadn't gone away.

Landau then went to Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center's Cancer Center for radiation treatment.

Landau was going through a very difficult time in her life. Not only was she dealing with breast cancer treatment, her son had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He passed away three months later, at age 49.

While there, Landau met two hospital volunteers who helped her tremendously - they helped her emotionally; they helped her cope.

It was through that experience that she decided after her treatment, she would give back to help others going through breast cancer treatment.

"While I was there getting radiation, there were two volunteers working there, and they were just so kind," Landau said. "They made me feel good. So, I decided when I have time, maybe I can volunteer to help out when needed."

After six weeks of radiation treatment, Landau's cancer was gone.

So she decided to give back, volunteering at the Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center's Cancer Center as a counselor to new patients.

"I still wake up every day thanking God," she said. "I guess it wasn't my time yet. I had made up my mind that if I didn't survive, God had another plan. Either way, it was a win win. If I survived, then I still have more work I have to do here. Once you get to that point, then it's not scary any more."

Landau counseled patients who had just received a breast cancer diagnosis and women who were going through treatment.

"I was more than happy to sit and talk with new patients coming in and let them know it's not the end of life; it's not the end of the world," she said.

"Most of time women don't have anyone to talk to. When they can talk to someone who's been through this, then all of a sudden they start feeling better. And that mentality helps them get well. I try to help as many women as I can."

Today, in between her day job, Landau helps run the volunteer program at Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center, as the first vice president and chairperson of the volunteer auxiliary, said Kimberly Cooper, marketing coordinator at the hospital.

Landau has a passion for helping others going through breast cancer treatment.

"I want to put my arms around all the women who are finding out they have breast cancer and tell them it's going to be okay," she said.

Landau has been cancer-free for the last five years.

"Having cancer has been a wake up call," she said. "All of a sudden your whole way of thinking changes. The things you used to think were so important, you realize aren't that important any more. I wake up every day being thankful."

Georgi Landau's recommendations to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients:

1) Find a good support group (ask your doctor or hospital for one that is nearby where you live)

2) Immediately start a daily journal. Write in it every day. Keep track of important doctors' names, addresses and phone numbers; write down the medication and chemo "cocktails"; include how you are feeling, physically and mentally; and any other information that you feel is important.

3) Take your journal with you to the doctors appointments and don't be afraid to ask questions. Ask the doctor to repeat things you don't understand while you are taking notes; get the spellings of the chemo meds.

4) Have someone go with you to the doctors so they can help you remember things and be of support to you.

5) Do research on your own. The more you know about your cancer the less terrifying it is and the better equipped you will be to deal with it.