Diane Bilyeu lives in Gresham, Oregon and is a proud mother of three—two daughters and a son—and grandmother to two granddaughters.
Her family circle even extends to her four-legged companions: Lucy, her loyal Australian Kelpie, and Ume, her “four-legged grandson.”
For 21 years, Diane worked as a school bus driver, often driving children with special needs, as well as high school students and elementary-aged children. She loved engaging them in conversation, asking about the books they were reading, the games they were playing, and even what kind of animal they might want to be. She cherished their individuality and the chance to see so many unique personalities every day.
Outside of work, Diane lived an active lifestyle. Hiking, walking, weekends at the coast with Lucy, gardening, and reading filled her free time. But on May 2, 2024, everything changed. While helping her father fall a tree on his property, a limb punctured her right breast. The wound became severely infected, and not long after, a fall caused her to crack her sternum. By the time she saw a doctor, the wound was draining, painful, and dangerous.
Tests followed, and on August 29, 2024, Diane was told she had breast cancer—malignant neoplasm of the right breast, metastasized to her lymph nodes and bone. She was 60 years old. Through one of her tests, she learned that she is of Navajo/Shoshone, Dutch, and Irish descent. That was news to her, and so she talked with her father about her findings. He said yes, she was. They had never spoken about it until then, but she was glad to know.
With the diagnosis and more information than ever, she met her doctors at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute with gratitude, finding them compassionate, thorough, and truly invested in her care.
Chemotherapy began on September 20, 2024—one day before her 61st birthday. Diane faced treatment with resilience, remarking that although cancer had weakened her body, it had also strangely given her energy and focus to keep going.
Halloween brought a bittersweet moment when she dressed as a character from Hocus Pocus. Removing her wig, she discovered her hair falling out, and soon beanie hats became her comfort. By November, she was forced to take leave from the job she loved, a heartbreaking decision that meant stepping away from the children she cared for.
In April 2025, Diane underwent a lumpectomy. The results were hopeful: no cancer in her breast or lymph nodes, and a special test confirmed her blood was clear of cancer. Still, the fight was not over. That same month, her paid time off ended, adding financial stress to her journey.
June brought radiation treatments, a grueling process that left burns across her chest, collarbone, and underarm. The healing was painful, but Diane endured, determined to push through. Her daughter, Amanda, stood by her side throughout, driving her to appointments, sitting with her during chemotherapy, and even stepping in when Diane’s car was stolen. “She has been my biggest help,” Diane often said, “along with my dog, Lucy.”
Diane’s siblings, whom she hadn’t seen in 22 years, also reconnected during this time. Her sister offered lunches and gift cards, her brother helped with home repairs, and her friend Caren has been in a steady presence since the very first infection. Parents of her students supported her with rides, meal trains, and donations. And when financial hardship struck, the Pink Lemonade Project stepped in to cover car payments and insurance, lifting a huge weight from her shoulders.
Through it all, Diane has remained deeply grateful. “I have such great people in my corner,” she said, often reflecting on the kindness of family, friends, parents, and the cancer care team.
On September 3, 2025, Diane received the news, “I was told by my doctor that my cancer is gone from the right breast. Depending on the PET scan on September 29, 2025, I should be healed from cancer. Hopefully, by January 2026, I will be ready to return to work.”
And she will return to the work she loves and the life she treasures— time outdoors, time with her children and grandchildren, and the joy of being behind the wheel of a school bus filled with kids’ laughter.
Her journey has left her humbled but also inspired. She carries forward her motto:
“Take care of yourself, let others support you, and listen to your team of doctors—because without them, there is no chance.”
