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My Mom

My mom was in Oklahoma taking care of her dying mother when something in her body was telling her something is wrong. Knowing her mother needed her she put herself on the back burner. My nanny passed that same year and 2months after my mothers father followed. Mourning the loss of both parents and truely deprressed she finally went to get tested she was already stage 2. After several bouts of chemo and radiation thing were looking up. So she carried on with her normal life taking care of my dad that worked 3rd shift and his 80 yr old mother. She went years with no signs or symptoms until 2013 when momma felt another knot she went back and this time it was stage 4 bone breast cancer. At this point the doctors have told her its the end it has spread over 80% of her body. The woman that raised 4 children helped raise 8 grandchildren lost her battle on her birthday January 12, 2014. She will be missed and forever loved.

Anonymous
cascade, VA

37 years survivor

i had my son in july so when i reached across the table i pressed my breast on the table and i got a pain i thought it was because i was a new mom and it was milk but then i decided to give myself a breast exam thats when i found the lump my dr removed it in the er just before thanksgiving they had to send it to boston to get the results the cancer was not in the lump but in the tissue around it they gave me the holidays with my family i had a radical masectamy in jan and 37 years later i am still doing fine

mercedes omalley
portland, ME

Seven Year Journey

My journey is almost over!!!! This cancer journey of mine began in November 2005, Lumpectomy #1, since then it's been mammogram and ultrasounds every 6 months til a suspicious mass found and required a biopsy in July 2009, then repeat of the twice a year mammograms and ultrasounds til second malignancy was found after a biopsy in June of 2011, followed by a lumpectomy in July, and then on July 13, 2011 the words no one ever wants to hear, "The cancer is back you need a mastectomy" And since this was my second recurrence removal of both breasts was the best treatment option. Sept. 29, 2011 I underwent a 17 hour bilateral mastectomy reconstruction, had a serious heart problem requiring even more surgery, along with an additional 25 days in intensive care. Unable to see my children, I was isolated, alone, afraid and felt hopeless and very helpless.. The recovery was brutally hard physically and emotionally it took a toll, I felt disfigured, scars from hip bone to hip bone, from the heart surgery, from the mastectomy. I I felt unfeminine looking in the mirror reminded me of all I lost. . Feb 3, 2014 final reconstruction was done. Overall 8 procedures have been done on the left breast, Now comes my light at the end of the long tunnel. I saw my oncologist, Thursday, and was expecting the usual come back in September. He said that other that the follow up surgeries in June, to even me out , I am 100% cancer free and CURED!! I was crying tears of pure joy I thought I'd have 3 more years of oncology. I lived in fear that sweet boys would not have a mother. Cancer took enough from me and I finally, after long 7 year battle, with God on my side Kicked Cancer's Ass..

Victoria Scuro
Indio, CA

My Life

Seventeen years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a biopsy and it was positive, I had the lumps removed and then had radiation and chemo. with the help of my family and some wonderful friends I came through healthy.
In December of 2013 I again was diagnosed with breast cancer in the same breast. This March 6th I had the breast removed so I am still recovering but doing well. I still have doctors to see to find out what treatments I will have to do but with the same family and friends I came through this well. I now have two very wonderful grandsons and they light up my life everyday along with their mom and of course my son who is also very caring and doing all the things I can't do along with my daughter. My friends I don't have the words to explain how they have been there for me through this for me to lean on, no one could have truer friends and family than I do.
Breast cancer is scary but you can fight it. when we learned that I had it again my children were devastated and I had to remind them that we got through this the first time and we would do it again. Like I told them first you feel sorry for yourself then you get angry then you fight and that is what we have done both times.
I just hope someone soon finds a cure for this awful disease because we really need it
Thank You
Pat Roblee

Pat Roblee
Mt.Morris, NY

Strong Sisters

Two of my sisters have fought and won the battle against breast cancer, both in their early 30s. They are negative for the BRCA genes, but we know there must be another defective one that they have and I or my 3rd sister might carry. My 11 yr old daughter is creating an exhibition project to share with her school to raise awareness and money for research. We're hoping the money will help fund the ability to detect other breast cancer genes that are not easy to test for now. This may save her own life and her cousins'. My daughter is inspired and motivated by her aunts, which makes me so proud of her and them.

Melissa
Rochester, NY

My long journey with breast cancer

It has been a year since I found out I had breast cancer. The first couple of weeks went really fast. It didn't have time to set in that this was happening to me. But when the treatments started I had time to sit and think of what was going on. It shocked me at first. But I keep remembering the things my grandma told me. She had cancer and lost the fight. So I had to show her I could beat it just for her. I haven't done the journey alone, I have a great family that stands tall beside me. I was blessed to have a great team of doctors. The jurney has been long, But I have made it. 3/27/013 was my very first surgery, I had a double masectamy done, I then did 4 months of chemo and I'm still doing the hursepton treatment. Those will be done here in May 2014. Having gone through all this has made me a very strong person. I look at life differently now. I live it day to day, I have 4 boys from the age 17 to 5 years of age. When I desided to go through all the treatments I was thinking about my children they need me here to take care of them. I have a amazing husband that helped keep my head up and take care of me through this all. The chemo got me down alittle, But the ulasta shoot was the kick in the butt. That made my feel really bad. But through all this having a amazing support group, family and friends. So to all that is fighting the greater fight. Keep your head up stand tall and tell yourself this cancer is not going to beat me I'm going to beat it. I did and now I've been cancer free for a year now.

Audreana Belden
Norfolk, VA

Finaly last day

So extremly happy that chemo is over. Im fighting the battle against breastcaner. Wanted to share this picture for all of you fighters out there. Love from me

Christina Müller
Stockholm, Sweden

inspiration

I know the shock, worry and the fear. Still to this day it remains unclear. Why things happen the way that they do? There's not always an answer but you can get through! So many women along the way have shared their stories and have lot's to say. We are in this together and must stand strong. Determined to be what we were all along. Trust in your faith and medical team too. They are working real hard to do their best for you. So as the flames of hope light up the dark night. We celebrate life and fight the good fight!

kei
west warwick, RI

Sherry's Story

Hi....My name is Sherry and I am a new breast cancer survivor. It was last March 26th (1 year ago) when I got the call from my doctor, he simply said "Sherry, you have Stage 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I was at work and I completely lost it. In shock and confused, I called everyone and gave them the bad news. My future was dim at that point, I can tell you this...not for one moment did I think that I was going to die. Yes, it is devastating, but I'm a fighter. I dreaded my treatments, but they went ok. I never thought this would happen to me...but it did. I am a stronger person now. You can be too. My family and friends are and have been very supportive. They make me strong. Never give up hope and one day there will a cure. I hope my story will encourage people not to give up....there is hope...just keep your faith intact. Keep your head up. I'll be praying for all. GOD BLESS.

Sherry Bushek
Katy, TX

Stress - Fertile grounds for cancer

It has been a bumpy ride; too many years lost, to anger, sadness, uncertainties, etc. It does take a toll on our bodies. No matter what could come our way, my husband would take it at face value, reflect upon it, realize it is out of his control and forget about it. I, on the other hand, would spend hours of each day, stewing, allowing everything to get to me.

I found myself taking naps during the day, simply to allow my mind to rest. Too many emotions clouded my mind, as I would allow everything to slowly bring me down. How I wished I could have my husband's attitude, but unfortunately, I care a little too much about everything and I found myself always needing to know the "why?" behind everything. "Why does this person treat me the way they do?" "What have I done to them?" "Why is this happening to us?" The endless "Why?", never gave me any answers and it fueled me with doubt, with anger, with sheer disgust for this world we were living in. None of it made sense, as we are good people, always there for others in need, always the first in line to help.

This needing to know, needing to make sense, needing to understand, consumed me. It caused me to make myself ill, deep within. As a result, my body could only take so much and retaliated.

They say, the most crucial part of recovery, when dealing with cancer, is to avoid stress, to free oneself of stressful situations and people. I would require an induced coma to be able to pull that one off, with everything that keeps happening to us and around us.

For now, I must avoid all stress. People who live and thrive on drama, must be set aside. I must free myself of all negativity and simply reflect on what is most important in my life, my husband and my children. Without me, in their lives, there would be no family to come home to.

Thank you cancer, for saving my life.

Nina Wozniak
Montreal, Canada