I have already submitted two stories but I wanted to add one more as I said I am a 17 year breast cancer survivor, meaning that 17 years ago this past January 9th I celebrated being cancer for 17 years I wanted to tell those newly diagnosed if I can get through this you can too you just have to have faith like I did and a positive attitude.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on the 17th Jan 2014, 8 weeks ago. The time has passed by in a complete blur after having a lumpectomy within 4 days of diagnoses. It was a relief at this time to know the the cancer had been removed.
I had my first chemotherapy session 3 weeks ago and my second yesterday. It hits me pretty hard quickly and I'm feeling a little rough now. (Only 4 more to go!)
This isn't something I want to shy away from but be open and honest about it all and my experiences and to raise awareness. I don't want sympathy and I don't know what the next few months will bring but thanks to my consultant acting so quickly I feel I'm in with a very good chance of beating this.
The question 'why me?' pops into my head a lot, I'm not a bad person and would do anything for anyone. It all feels so unfair. But this is an obstacle I have been thrown and have to get over. And I WILL.
I want to shout from the rooftops a huge thank you to my husband and all my family and friends who are supporting me through this very difficult and scary time. The light of my life is my beautiful 3 year old daughter Hattie, she is the perfect distraction and gives the best kisses and cuddles. I couldn't do it without any of you and I am so very grateful to you all. It means the world to me. :-) xx
Hi my name is Diane Russo, and I have been cancer free for two years. The first year was the worst, between the chemo, (6 treatments one every 3 weeks). Having surgery, removal of one breast, staph infection more surgery, removal of the tissue expander, then rest and healing for a few months before radiation. Doing radiation for 45 days, 5 days a week, it was like a job, lol. But you know I came through it fine, I behaved and did what I had to do. It wasn't easy believe me, but something comes over you, this inner strength, that makes you feel like you can do this, and all will be fine, it's amazing. When you get cancer, your whole life changes, your attitude changes, and the smallest things are just as important as big things. You feel different, and think different, life is amazing, who knew, not me. My life was never bad, but it wasn't me, it was all about everyone else. I had to teach myself that I am important to, and I needed to take care of me also. And that's tough, when you are so used to doing for others first, putting yourself on the back burner. Don't get me wrong I still do for others, but I take a little time for myself, and enjoy me a little, it's hard for some to understand, an sometimes you really don't get it until it happens to you. My motto is, smile, enjoy people, care as much as you can, love yourself, and enjoy life, because it is to short, and mainly be happy. All my love Diane Russo, Thanks,
I was diagnosed with Level 1 Adnicarcinoma on Dec. 20, 2014! How could this be? I had no family history of breast cancer! But this day and time, that really doesn't matter. My daughter and son-in-law were with me when I found out. My doctor had left the room and I lost it! I DID NOT want to be sick. I DON'T like being sick! I was bending over the counter crying, my daughter came over, put her arm around my neck and said, "It's going to be ok, Moma!" I stopped crying and haven't since. I felt a peace come over me that indeed it was all going to be ok! A peace only God could give me. On January 8, 2014 I had a bilateral mastectomy. The surgery went really good and I was released the next day!
A week and a half later, it was time to see my oncologist. He wanted to send my tissue off to be analyzed. The test is called the oncotypeDX. They find out what treatment is best for the individual. After surgery and 5 1/2 weeks off, I went back to work. I knew I had to build my strength back up. After a trip to Vegas and a couple days at work it was time to see my oncologist again, April 3, 2014, to find out my test results and what my treatment would be. My oncologist came in and asked how I was doing. I told him I wasn't feeling so sporty. He sat down in his chair and said--NO CHEMO!! My eyes popped open. He asked, "Does that make you feel better?" "You don't know how much!" I said!!!! My test results were in the low percentile- 11%. I have to take Letrozole for 5 years but that could change. I had been blessed and I thank God for that!
Now to my 2nd trip--a Cruise with my daughter and her family!! Thank you for reading my story! Supporting the Fighters, Admiring the Survivors, Honoring the Taken and Never Ever giving up HOPE!!
I was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1994. It was DCIS. I had a mastectomy and reconstruction and was able to move on. In 1999 after a routine mammography and ultrasound and biopsy I was told I now had invasive breast cancer in my other breast. So once again I had a mastectomy and reconstruction and this time I had chemo every 3 weeks for 6 months. After chemo I was prescribed Tamoxifen for a five year period. And for another five years I took Femara.
So for the next 15 years I went about happily living my life. In the Fall of 2013 while on vacation I experienced an occasional pain in my breast. Upon return and during a routine physical checkup, I mentioned this to the doctor. He sent me first for a chest x-Ray to play it safe. Well that showed something "suspicious". Next I had a cat scan and consequently a pet scan. I was sent to a lung surgeon who removed a wedge sized spot in my lung. And was I shocked to hear it was a breast cancer that had metastasized to my lung.
The oncologist I saw told me I now have Stage 4 Breast Cancer. After a series of tests I was started on a 12 week course of chemo. The first treatment was difficult as I had an allergic reaction to Taxol.
Instead of the Taxol I now receive Abraxane every week and Herceptin and Perjeta every third week. I just completed my seventh treatment this week.
The fact that I now have a Stage 4 diagnosis is scary for me but I am determined to beat this and live a long happy life with the help of God.
This week my mom, Karen Pollock, is celebrating 10-years cancer-free. We are so thankful for every day of good health!!!
My daughter is a mammo tech and had been nagging me for about 6 months to get my mammo. I am 42 and breast cancer runs in my family. I finally gave in and she did my mammo about a month ago. The results were irregular and I had to have a biopsy on my right breast. The results were not all that bad. The small "tumor" was benign but I still have to have a lumpectomy on April 4th to remove it. I just want to stress the importance of having your mammograms on a regular basis. Early detection is definitely the key. I thank my daughter every day for "nagging" me about it because who knows what the outcome could have been if I didn't get it done this time.
I have had breast cancer twice, once in 2005 with lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Second time in 2012 with double mastectomy and chemo. Thanks to my family and friends I survived both. It was (is) hard but with a good attitude and good support team you can do anything. If you or your family member is going thru this keep in mind: you will win!! Just keep a very positive attitude. I will always be grateful for my family and friends who traveled this tough journey with me.
I was 28 when I had my first diagnosis. I underwent chemo and radiation. Sixteen years later, during an annual mamogram, something was spotted. I thought, oh no, here we go again. After a biopsy, it was determined that I remove my right breast. That did not sit well with me at all. I thought about all of my options, performed research, as well as, genetic testing. While waiting for my genetic test results, I decided that I would remove both breasts as I did not want to have to deal with again. My doctor's agreed with me and, in the interum, I received my results, which determined that I was BRCA 1 positive. I underwent reconstructive surgery wherein the tissues from my stomach were remove and they replaced my breasts, technically called FLAP surgery. Additionaly, I had my ovaries removed as a precautionary measure. That was over three years ago. To date, I live an active healthy life. Dont get me wrong, there are some side effects from the medicine, as well as all of the surgeries, but they are all minor set backs to being ALIVE!!
Soon it'll be the day I lost my granny to cancer and there hasn't been a single day I haven't missed her. Everyday has been a struggle, a fight, a really tough fight but I know I'll win because she taught me to. Yes cancer did take her life but she did not lose the fight, she won, she won in ways more than one.
She began her fight against cancer in her late 50's and won her first battle. 10 years later cancer came back into our lives and we fought back with everything we had. In the process we saw many, many miracles. She won, cancer lost.
Despite the immense pain she was constantly in she always put the people around her first and thought of their happiness before her own. She did not once complain because she never wanted to see her loved ones worried or upset around her. And that's exactly what she got.The time we had together was always happy, always filled with lots of laugher, and always blissful. She won, cancer lost.
Cancer caused my granny, our family, and all those who loved her immense pain and definitely affected us negatively but we didn't let that last. Together we always overcame the negativity and let positivity surround us, because that was who she was and that was what she wanted. She won, cancer lost.
She was the most beautiful woman, she was beautiful for the way she thought, she was beautiful for her courage, she was beautiful for her ability to make other people happy even when she was in pain, she was beautiful for her ability to spread so much love, she was beautiful, deep down to her soul. This beauty lives on in the lives of the many she touched and will continue to live in the people they touch. She won, Cancer lost.
So here's not just to my granny but all those who lost their life to cancer. They continue to live on in all that they gave the world, they did not lose against cancer, they all won.
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