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The Waiting

About six years ago in my morning shower I discovered a small lump in my left breast. It was a few days before the first Christmas in our new home and we were having everybody over, so other than my husband I kept the news to myself. I went to my family doctor where she palpated and told me that it didn't feel sinister, most likely a fat globule. Every six months I have either a mammograms, ultrasound or both. They have all come back normal. I missed 2013 due to other illnesses and now, for the last two weeks I have been having pain in that area and tomorrow I see my family physician. So scared. Would just like it biopsied once and for all, is that too much to ask?

Anonymous
Toronto, Canada

Little Pink Pillow

The Little Pink Pillow

I am a woman, like so many women who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.. When I reported to the hospital for my lumpectomy, a wonderful woman named Donna Jones visited me (she had called me prior to the hospital appointment to introduce herself as my advocate). She gave me a gift bag with various items in it, one of them being a soft, little pink pillow. She said it was designed to support my breast upon my release from the hospital so the seat belt and other surfaces wouldn’t hurt my poor, mangled booby, and it was mangled and bruised, and sore with three incisions. For the first 48 hours of my recovery from the lumpectomy, I used that pink pillow when I walked, sat, stood up, and lay down, and it was equivalent to a little pink miracle. Donna told me that a volunteer at the Cancer Center sewed every pillow; and that she and this woman had an arrangement that if Donna supplied the material, the volunteer would make them. I can’t begin to express how much relief and comfort that little pillow gave me, and my booby….such a little thing that made a big difference. Donna was kind and compassionate, and when I introduced her to my wife of 22 years, she didn’t raise an eyebrow, or display that look that some of us who are gay get; that looks that says, I have to tolerate you because it’s my job, but I really don’t like or approve of who you are. If you are someone who has to go through what I did, I highly recommend that you use a little pillow. Isn't it the little things that make a difference. I have no doubt if I lose my hair someone will have made a little pink scarf to match it. With people like Donna, and volunteers who care so much, I have no doubt that somewhere, someone makes little pink scarves. Thank you doesn’t begin to express the difference this made to me.

Warm Regards,

Denise Sassoon

denisesassoon@cox.net
Tucson, AZ

Mom Diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer @ 27

It all started in January 2011 around the time of my second child's first birthday. Little did I know my life was about to be turned upside down. I was 27, married with two kids age 3 and 1, working and also attending college full time. I discovered a lump which ended up being breast cancer. I finished all my college courses early so that I could get a double mastectomy in April.

I spent my summer between working, raising my kids and chemo. I often would try to raise the spirits of the doctors and nurses around me thinking how hard a job they must have. Since my immune system was down I did end up with pneumonia and shingles. Next up was about two months of radiation treatments. I would drive 30 minutes to drop the kids off at day care and go to work then at lunch drive the same distance to treatment and then back to work to finish my day before returning home. I met an older lady whom shared many stories of her childhood which were fascinating. She always spoke of her earrings so I bought her a pair and her face lit up so bright, it was a very touching moment.

I now am 3 years out and will be taking tamoxifen for another 7 years. Through this experience I have met so many amazing people. The support I received in various forms from family, friends, co-workers, daycare, church, stylists, and even strangers is truly overwhelming. It would be a lie to say that breast cancer recurrence doesn't come to mind on a daily basis but I push those thoughts away. Worrying about the future does not change the future it only takes away from the joy of today. Nobody knows when their time will be up we could step out the door and get into a car and that could be it.

This has taught me to enjoy every moment in your life. Everyone is fighting their own battle so be kind to one another.

Anonymous
Sanford, ME

The day my heart sink!

In Dec 2011 I find out I had breast cancer my heart felt heavy, but I know cancer was not going to take my life. In Jan 2012 I had my right breast and some lymph nodes removed and in 2013 my left breast. I had chemo for four months, my son who is the best son in the whole world told me that I was going to live with him and his family or he was going to live with me after the surgery and the chemo, so he lived with me... they had cats and I have a dog. I lost all my hair but I looked pretty good with no hair :-)... radiation for 28 day. I was in lots of pain my dog knew this, when I would woke up in pain my dog was sitting by my side with his little paw on my shoulder and he would look down at me like he was saying I know your in pain but it's ok I'm here go back to sleep, it makes me cry a little as I write this. I was so blessed with family and great friends I am one of the lucky ones. Thank GOD!!! I am cancer free for almost 2 1/2 years now!!! May GOD be with all that are is still fighting hang in there! In the picture me and the best son in the whole world!!!

Gail Cortez Baadsgaard
Euless, TX

My Mother My Hero

My mother was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer in April 2010 after being treated for mastitis for 11 days. She started chemo right away, and it was a tough fight from the beginning. She started off the fight very ill from massive doses of antibiotics that killed her stomach. She got through 5 months of chemo, and was able to have a bilateral mastectomy. Then after she healed from the surgery she started several weeks of radiation every day. After she finished the radiation she started chemo again for another 5 moths. In April 2012 she was cancer free. The after math of all the treatments took a toll on her. She had horrible swelling in her left arm that made it impossible for her to do every day things like laundry. She struggled with that badly, and was tired all of the time. She was very weak, and it made her very depressed. She was blessed with another grandbaby in Dec. 2012, and she was very excited. She wanted to be able to so many things with him, but was limited because of swelling and weakness. She traveled a far distance in March 2013 to undergo a surgery to minimize the swelling in her left arm. At the same time she got breast reconstruction, and a tummy tuck. She was so excited about going on with life. When she came home she was still very tired. She spent the summer babysitting her new grandbaby as well as her other grandchildren. She struggled with fatigue the whole time. Then she ended up with an infection in her left breast that scared us, but turned out not to be cancer. Just when we thought she was on the mend she got sick, again. She ended up in the hospital with a diagnoses of ALL leukemia. Almost 3 weeks later died from an infection Sept. 12, 2013. My mother was a fighter until the very end. She is truly my hero. Some of her last words (she sat up in bed to look at her grandchildren), "Grandma is so very blessed!"

Anonymous
Clinton, MO

The Boob-onic plague!

I have been experiencing BC symptoms for 18 months. Its been hard to get in to see a specialist because of age (too young and dying) and paperwork (insurance and dead trees) Because I have been to clinics many times with all of these symptoms they finally broke down and let me in. Upon exam she didn't notice anything that jumped out to her (except lumps and a reoccurring sore that's disfiguring) so, "you can probably wait to get insurance paperwork done to get a mammogram and ultrasound". I said , "no I want it now". After the ultrasound and mammogram they found cancer in both breasts. After biopsies were done I was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive BC in right and ductal carcinoma in situ in left. I start my chemo in 2-3 weeks and then have bilateral mastectomies in 5 months.

Anonymous
Portland, OR

TEAM JULIA

Julia Polhman is the strongest, most spunky person I will ever know. She has recently lost her four and a half year battle with breast cancer at the age of 43. I hate to say the word lost because Julia didn't loose anything.
Julia was a fighter. People couldn't tell by looking at her that her body was full of cancer. There was not one day Julia let the cancer take her over. Until the day she passed she fought to live a normal life. She never complained or wondered why her- she truly had an amazing character. She lived her life to the fullest and inspired everyone she came on contact with to do the same.

The day of Julia memorial service over 50 families participated in turning the streets to the service pink! Julia has left an unmistakable mark on our town, and she will always be an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

Shea
Bellingham, WA

A different path

My name is Beth, and I have a little boy named Tiger that turned 6 years old this last October. Tiger is my life, he was created out of love, faith and a bit of a miracle. My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was 32 years old. He underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Then we met, fell in love, and planned for the future. My husbands cancer returned with fierce aggression and he underwent surgery on both lungs and chemotherapy again. By Gods blessing and his doctors ok, I became pregnant with Tiger. We had never been happier. After finding out we were having a boy we found out more devastating news. Scott's cancer was back, this time in the brain and bone. We fought it as much as any two people could fight, and tried not only his regular oncologist, but also U of M and Chicago. With many tears and my heart breaking, Scott passed away September 29, 2007. He just missed his 35th birthday. I had Tiger (who is named after the Detroit Tigers, his dad was a huge fan) the day after Scott's funeral. Bittersweet was more than just an emotion for me, I lived that way until I realized my baby would learn of his sweet father and our love from me, so everyday we bring up at least one memory so he will know the true nature and character and legacy his father left behind. February 25, 2014 I found out I have bilateral invasive ductal carcinoma. I am 33 years old. I have recently undergone a bilateral mastectomy. I will start chemotherapy April 17th and am preparing myself for the battle of my life. By the grace of God, and the loving attention of my friends and family I truly feel this is a fight I can win. From the outpouring of love from my small community, and everything that has been done to make our lives run as smooth as possible, I thank you. To my kick butt cancer team, I thank you. To everyone showing support, thank you.

Elizabeth Russell
Ashley, MI

Surviving Triple Negative Breast Cancer

At 34 years old I was diagnosed with stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. My world fell apart but I have a lot of lucky stars to thank as I did not feel a lump, it was all too small but I had pain, further MRI scans showed that I had 3 tumours, the largest being 5mm and I had 1 lymph node involved so my body told me very early on.
I underwent a Mastectomy, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy and am now awaiting my diep flap reconstruction.
I have recently celebrated my first year clear and am enjoying life with my husband and 2 young daughters. I have lost 3 stone and now maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
Would love to hear from lots of long term survivors, especially from Triple negative/hormone negative breast cancer.
Much love to all Fighters, survivors and supporters xxx

Vicki pearce
Bristol, United Kingdom

Lobular Breast Cancer? Have you heard of it? Not many have. I got a crash course on 09/14/2011

I DO NOT fit the statistics and my doctors have had to throw out the book to treat me. I was diagnosed with a very little known and barely studied form of Breast Cancer. Here's my story.
At age 41, I schedule a routine mammogram and ultrasound, because I was about the age to start them. September, 14 2011 at 10:45am I had my first screening. I was not expecting anything, I have no Breast cancer (or any other cancer) in my family medical history. The Techs face said it all and the office did a biopsy that morning. By the time I left they pretty much told me I had cancer. That week my primary confirmed it. I was Stunned! I had done everything they say to do. Self exams, doctor visits, etc.
Turns out I had Stage 4, aggressive LOBULAR breast cancer. Lobular cancer does NOT create LUMPS and has NO OUTWARD signs unless/until Nipple inclusion. It creates Webs that move with you. If in one side very high probability will/is in the other side. (% goes up as you age that it will occur on other side), more likely to cause secondary cancer. Not known to be hereditary.
The Doctors have little info/research on how fast/slow this type grows or how it reacts to chemo/radiation, this and MRI showed it was only 1cm from chest wall; I had to have Surgery immediately.
On 10/26/2011, I had a Radical bi-lateral mastectomy with full left side lymph node removal. 10.5cm mass found in left and 1.4cm in Right side. Heavy duty rounds of chemo and radiation. So far so good.
Body still rejecting any attempt to do reconstruction, but that's OK.
I count myself so blessed just to still be here, Breasts or no Breasts.

I strongly believe ALL should have access to mammograms no matter what age, sex or financial situation! Saves Lives!!
It Saved Mine!!!

Sandra Wood-Dunlap
Summerville, SC