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I AM A SURVIVOR

For my 45th birthday I decided as a gift to myself I was gonna focus on me and focus on being healthy and even maybe getting off my butt. Well stop one was my Gyn who slapped my wrist for going 13 months since my mammo. I am good about my mammo, had a fibroid yrs ago. Well one week later October 21, 2010. I was in the medical center getting the biopsy results due to the mammo findings. Within one hr my husband and I were in a surgeons office. I was diagnosed with invasive ducktal carcinoma and Insitu. Two weeks later I had a mastectomy. I woke up with unclear margins and no more tissue to remove. When I found out I didn't need chemo I thought i was lucky....Cancer was like being dropped into a country where you don't understand the language. I figured a little radiation and I'd start back on my goal. My journey was long, and difficult. I came to realize that the cancer diagnosis, in my case, would be the easiest part of my journey. I suffered MANY side effects and the need for several surgeries. I was finally cancer free in June of 2012. On February 13,2014 I HAD MY LAST SURGERY. 9 and done. I'd be lieing if I said any of this has been easy. I have tried to remain positive and I have learned soo many wonderful lessons..... Team K-Tots was born, I am driven to raise awareness of early detection and fighting this horrible disease. I have learned that positive attitudes are the best medicine and most of all,Life is give and take. Let people help you when you need them. Leaning on friends and family is truly a sign of strength. And most of all, appreciate each and every moment of life. I am alive, I am CANCER FREE.......and, less than a week after my surgery I am in the gym......a 5k in May......be well be strong and fight like every minute is worth it......

Kim Tarpey
Centereach, NY

I am a breast cancer & suicide survivor

My name is Kelley. I lost my mom to breast cancer when she was 53 and I was 23. I was diagnosed when I was 40 years old. Because of doing a self-exam, I found it and was diagnosed at stage 1, grade 1. I did go on to have a double mastectomy, chemo, and two reconstruction surgeries. Chemotherapy threw me into early menopause and into severe depression. Not long after my last treatment, I discovered that my prince charming of 16 years had been cheating on me with not one, but many women, the entire time I was fighting cancer.

We went through two years of counseling. He went with me each and every single week for two years. I was still very depressed during this time, but had no earthly idea how bad. At the end of that two years of trying to make it work, I discovered he had never even stopped doing what he was doing not even for a minute. This sent me completely over the edge and I tried to take my own life. I ended up on life support as they worked to save my life. I'll never forget waking up and thinking this must be a terrible dream. I didn't want to wake up. I had every detail planned. What I hadn't planned on was God giving my youngest daughter a sudden sinking feeing that something was wrong. She had no idea what but it was that feeling that caused my husband to return home, even though they were supposed to be gone the entire day.

I spent the next months so upset that I woke up. I didn't understand why I lived through it. But today, only 13 months later, I am so much better. I am not depressed. I have taken MYSELF completely off all antidepressants. I am no longer suicidal nor do I have any lingering thoughts about it. I am a fighter, I am a survivor!! It took nearly losing my life to find it and to value it.

YOU can beat anything!!

Kelley

Kelley
Buford, GA

Tripple negative brestcancer diagnosed on 01/17/2014

Hello,

I'm a Belgian Lady from Antwerp who was diagnosed on 01/17/2014 with tripple negative brestcancer.

I had my surgery on monday 2/3/2014 and next monday 02/24/2014 i start my first chemo.

But we won't give up the battle, we will survive till the end.

Anonymous
ANTWERPEN, Belgium

My journey started Dec 2012.

I was going for my annual physical when my right breast seemed tender and a lump was felt. I had gotten a script for an FNA but had needed an overdue mammogram first. I had had it, they found calcification.

They were biopsed in April, a week later I got that dreaded news. YOU HAVE CANCER.
I knew what I needed to do. Luckily it was a 'good cancer'. DCIS Stage 0. I had a double mastectomy.Which was strongly suggested since I'm under 50.

It was actually a blessing that I did go for a double mastectomy because my pathology report told me LCIS was also detected in my left breast. I dodged a bullet.

Luckily I didn't need chemo or radiation.
Today I am 'CANCER FREE'! <3

Cathy O'Donnell
Tenafly, NJ

My mother

Back in September of 2013, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. On September 25,2013 she had a double mastectomy. The doctors had to take both breast, they couldn't save any part of her. She started her chemo, then in January 2014 my mother was rushed to the ER with a sever headache. They ran a bunch of test and found several spots on her body. (2 on her brain, 1 on shoulder, 1 on spine, and 1 on her pelvic) A few days later she met with her doctor and he told her she was in Stage 4 cancer, with only 2 more chemo treatments left, the doctor took her off completely of any chemo treatment. Said there was nothing else they could do for her. My mother is a very strong woman, and means the world to me. This cancer stuff is all new to me. I am 33 years old and I have never had to deal with anything like this. I know I keep questioning my self on why this has to happen to her and why not me. I would do anything to take her place. Thanks for reading and I could use any encouraging words to help me through this time.

Tammi Robertson
Terre Haute, IN

I'm still fighting like a girl

I was diagnosed with IDC in August 2013. I had a lumpectomy but since the margins were not clear they needed to perform an additional surgery. I had a mastectomy followed by 4 rounds of chemo. I couldn't have gotten through this without the amazing support of my family and friends. I'm looking forward to finishing my reconstruction and put this behind me. I consider myself lucky for what I've learned on this journey. A little laughter helps with every challenge and a hug works wonders on a bad day.

Kristin Rakshys
Oak Park, IL

true luv

Having the friends I do for more the 20+ years has allowed me to keep my spirits up and keep strong for this fight. I've never seen or could I have imagined such love and support. They're who I call family.

Anonymous
riverside, CA

survivor of breast cancer

I went for my routine mammogram on Sept. 2013, it came back abnormal. In Oct. 2013, went had another mammogram and us, it was abnormal also, I went in Nov.2013 for two biopsy and 3 days later was dx with breast cancer. I was dx on 11/13/13 with IDC stage 1A. My world just feel apart,when I heard these words. So many thoughts go through your mind. I went had a double mastectomy, with Dr. Berry with Norton's and 4 weeks later went to see my med oncologist, with Dr. Seeger with Norton's, she ran more test, one called oncotype my results on this was a 8. I knew I had this beat when she called and told me no radiation/no chemo, just I had to take Tamoxifen for 5 years. I have only really had nausea with this med so far, been taking on my 4 week.Now at April 24,2014, I go and talk with my plastic surgeon. I Still have 3more major surgeries expanders, implants,nipple reconstruction. It will take about 1 year to get all this done. I get upset about the surgeries coming up, but remind my self I can do this and will beat this CANCER. I have a postive attitude and have very postive caregivers and friends to help me through, this is why I have made it through.In all this I'm finishing my nursing school and have only missed 2 days. and graduate April 18th 2014. I have a strong feeling, I know what field I will be working in.ONCOLOGY. I think back why I had to go this, but taking care of cancer patients in the future, I can really understand what they are going through, (scared,questions,uncertainty,the way they feel.) I ride in the beat the cure bike ride for cancer, I have already signed up for the 35 mile ride.

Donna Flowers
Shepherdsville, KY

Was it luck?

In 2010 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 22 years old. At that point, my chances of being hit by a bus were greater than to be diagnosed with "the silent killer". “It’s a breast mice- don't worry,” I was told, but a lumpectomy was scheduled to be on the safe side. My life was saved at that point. A day after my surgery, I was told I had Stage 2B Invasive Ductal Carcinoma... What did that even mean? For me it meant losing my life, losing my hair and losing my womanhood. Everyone seemed to think I was lucky. "You're lucky you got it so early", “you’re lucky the doctors acted so fast", "you’re lucky you didn't lose your breast." I was grateful for being alive, but was it luck? Was I lucky that this disease chose me? My first visit to the oncologist, I was greeted by her kind smile, only for her to say, "I'm sorry to say but you WILL lose your hair." That was my breaking point. This was real. Nevermind going through early menopause. I was 22 and I had cancer. What was so lucky about that? I was lucky that I was young, but was I? There was no luck here. My life seemed over. Cancer not only altered my physical being but my mental being too- I would have to quit university. Being sick from chemo and twiddling my thumbs at home... seemed like a death sentence. Boy was I lucky. It was only when chemo started that I found strength in me I didn't know existed. I realised I was young- so young that after treatment I would still be in my 20s. Things weren’t over for me. This is when I realised the luck on my side was not my age nor my fighting strength. It was the love, support and encouragement of my family & friends. No matter how young or old you are. We all have the same lessons to learn. So yes, I AM very lucky. I am now 25-years-old, and I kicked cancer.

Sonia Singh
Durban, South Africa

My Breast Cancer Journey

My name is Shelley Culpepper I am a survivor. I.found my lump ironically in a tanning bed February 2012. I went to my doctor who sent me for a mamogram & sonogram on March 30 (my husbands birthday) the radiologist told me it was cancer. I was sent to a breast surgeon who confirmed and blew me off so I went to Siteman Center in.St.Louis for a biopsy and within a month had a double mystectomy and expanders put in . After healing I had to do 3 chemos 1 every week for 6 months & every 3rd week I took it along with 2 others for another 6 months along with having my expanders filled on same day , different location. All while working as a hairdresser, cooking, & cleaning for my family .I lost my hair after second treatment (I'm a hairdresser) and my nails . I was given too much chemo which caused me blisters on the bottom of my hands n feet. I had nausea , bad taste and bowel trouble during chemo.& weeks after. I gained weight with steroids by craving carbs. I had reconstructive surgery Jan.2013 I finished hyerceptin July 2013. I am hercept 2 positive. I just had a full hysterectomy Dec.2013 and awaiting my last reconstructive surgery . Well that's the medical part but to explain my feelings and my families' feelings can't be done in 300 words. I know it has ruined my marriage scared my 12 year old son, who now constantly thinks he's sick Or I am . My 21 year old is angry with me for getting sick while he's in college and angry at himself for being mad.My husband can't look at me Or touch me .My family and friends feel sorry for me and I feel angry , sad ,happy to have made it and find myself wondering why I was spared when so many have lost the fight . I intend to beat this and help others through this by sharing the good & the bad .

Shelley Culpepper
Waterloo, IL