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When you see me don't feel sorry for me!!!

I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at the age of 22. I am 26 years old and still fighting breast cancer, I had both breast removed, 8 round of chemotherapy, 33 rounds of radiation. Then after my breast cancer spread to my lungs, ovaries stomach. I had to get my ovaries removed and dealing with menopause at the age of 26..it's crazy because I have been through so much, but I am happier then I have ever been. I'm stronger, I learned how to live and that's something everyone doesn't get a chance to do. So when you see me don't feel sorry for me

Latasha Robinson
Minneapolis, MN

Amanda Jackson "My Story"

My journey began 2/2/11. This is the day I had my mastectomy. No history of breast cancer and I was 36, with four children, a full time job, a wife, and a part-time student. I was a very busy woman and I did not see this coming. I had stage 2 cancer, hormone positive, which means I am now taking hormone pills for now up to 10 years. My mom had never had a mammogram done. So after my diagnosis, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer of the same breast. She also had a mastectomy. Hers was stage one, so she did not have to go through the 20 weeks of chemo nor the 33 days of radiation, that I had to go through. The first 8 weeks were very aggressive, I went everyother week. The day after I had to go for the shot in my stomach to help build my cells back up. Two days after that shot, the next two days were horrible. I could barely move or have anything touching my body. Other than that my experience with the rest of the chemo was a breeze, I gained 30 pounds, didn't lose weight or get sick. Cancer is not a death sentence, it can be beat. You have to pay attention to your body and go get checked when something doesn't seem right. I learned a lot going through this experience. There are still wonderful people out there willing to help. I had a great support system with my family, church family, and from strangers as well. I am glad that I got myself checked for a spot that I found, if not my mom may have never been checked. 2/2/14, I will be 3 years free of cancer.

Amanda Jackson
Stoneville, NC

Strength, Courage and Faith!

I am a 22 year old wife and mother to 1. I have lost both family members as well as friends to Breast cancer. First was my aunt. I was about 10 or 11 when she became ill. At that age, I didn't understand why she was so sick and why we couldn't have Sunday dinner at her home anymore. After a short while, she lost her battle. I was so devastated because I thought well if she was sick why didn't they have medicine to make her better? As I got older I researched breast cancer more and became very active with breast cancer walks and the think pink movement. When I was 18, I lost my grandmother to leukemia. A very hard loss, but it made me even more passionate about helping find a cure and supporting the survivors. The highlight moment had to be when one of my fellow peers was diagnosed with breast cancer and I walked with her and held her hand at relay for life when she announced to the public she was battling the disease. Breast cancer is a monster that attacks many of our loved ones each day. It is our duty to continue to help and support and fight like a girl!! Strength, Courage and faith!

Anonymous
Columbus, MS

My Mom is a living miracle!

Back in 2007, my family was rocked to our foundation. My Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. It scared me because a few years before my aunt died from this disease. I didn't want to lose my mom. But she is a fighter and she wows me daily. She underwent a treatment where twice a day for a week she had a granule of radiation dropped down a shunt in both breasts. I looked at her and she was so calm and at peace. She said God gave her the strength and the peace. She was scared but as she sat in the waiting room she said this wave of peace poured over her. She is alive and cancer free. The real heroes are the people who battle breast cancer. They are fighters and winners.

Lea
Parma Heights, OH
How my passion lead me through my journey toward becoming a life coach with a niche of coaching cancer survivors.

How my passion lead me through my journey toward becoming a life coach with a niche of coaching cancer survivors.

My name is Gina Costa-Goldfarb and this is how my journey began. I have been fundraising for Women’s cancers since 2000. I lost my mother to ovarian cancer 3 days before the birth of my daughter. I was her caregiver and she was my best friend. Needless to say this was a very dark period in my life, but it also lead to new beginnings for me and gave birth to my passion. I continued my fundraising efforts throughout the years as it kept my mother’s memory alive and I saw how much I could do to serve others by inspiring and raising funds to be used for research for the cure. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and this ignited my passion for continuing the fight. Then in 2012 I myself was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive lobular breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and several reconstruction surgeries. My current therapy includes taking a daily dose of Tamoxifen to keep my cancer at a distance. My diagnosis changed my life. It actually made it better! It caused me to take a look at the stress filled life I was living and realize the ramifications of that life on my health and I was able to take action and make changes to live a healthier, more fulfilling life instead of a life of simply “doing”. My life took a whole new path with a lot of synchronicity and meaning! In early 2013 I enrolled in training to become a life coach with a niche of working with women diagnosed with breast cancer. My training is just about completed and I am looking forward to pursuing my passion and educating these women on how to navigate their thoughts and feelings during each stage of the journey. Together we will learn, understand and create a plan for life after cancer. Please join me in my passion of being dedicated to creating new beginnings for life after cancer! Please feel free to contact me at 917-882-2402. My website is currently under construction.

Gina Costa-Goldfaeb
Parlin, NJ

The strongest woman I know my grandma

My grandma quit getting mammogram 2 1/2 years ago . Her reasoning I'm old and don't need it . I'm tired of going to these appointments! Well 2 1-2 years later she found a lump in her breast ! She went to doctor and now it has spread to her lyphm noid and surgery is out and so is radiation ( due to her age 87) . She now has stage 3C breast cancer . She has her port in her and her first chemo treatment on February 7! I love my grandma with my whole soul ! I stress the importance of mammogram no matter how old you are!! My grandma came from Ukraine to here in the USA back 60 years ago for a better life . She has seen some stuff as a kid that no one should've to endure . I've never seen my grandma scared untill now. She is afraid to die , to leave her family ! She worries about us even now when she should be worried about herself but that's my grandma. Even as she tells her great grandchildren her stories . I never seen her fear until now and it's so hard to look into her eyes and see that fear! It just breaks my heart!

Denise
Belleville, MI

Cancer Saved My Life

The phone rang at work that morning it was Dr. Cook with the news. I had breast cancer. The moment she told me I felt Him....you know ,God, He took me in His arms. Full force with all His grace and love. HE had me. HE had my back. I knew then no matter what I was going to be okay. That was 4 years 8 months ago. With a team of angels here on earth and a sunshine team I now live a different life. Cancer opened my heart and most importantly my eyes to a life that had been filled with domestic violence. My story is long and complex but the final chapter is going to be beautiful. Cancer saved my life. My prayer is for every human being know their worth and expect their loved ones to join them in LIFE that makes sense. Make it happen. Celebrate every day. Peace, love, and happiness ya'll ♡♡♡♡♡♡

Liz Fontenot
Groves, TX
I have breast cancer

I have breast cancer

I'm a 52 year old man that is having to fight this cancer. Lump grew never thought much about it. It was breast cancer. Surgery, now in radiation. Surviving - please be aware we are only 1 percent of all breast cancer but men get breast cancer too. I pray for all of you for this is not an easy thing and your fight is far different then mine as I had nothing much for them to take. Keep up the fight.

Kevin Cameruca
Shelbyville, IN
Be your own advocate!

Be your own advocate!

My story is one that I never thought I would have. At 31 I was diagnosed with Stage IIB Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I went through what one would call the "standard" treatment, which consisted of neoadjuvant chemo, bi-lateral masectomy, followed by 5 weeks of radiation. Losing my hair was definetly one of the hardest parts of the entire experience. However, my story actually starts 2 months before my diagnosis. I found a lump and my doctor sent me to get an ultrasound. They handed me a list of radiologists and went with the one who would take me in the next day. The results came back that I had a benign mass-likely just a cyst. Something just did not sit right with me so I got a second opinion a few weeks later. To my surprise, this "benign cyst" turned out to be a 5.4 cm, grade 3 tumor! When I think of what would've been the outcome had I not listened to my instincts, it makes me angry, sad and obviously grateful that I got a second opinion. WE are our best advocate. Listen to your body and pay attention to that little voice inside your head that tells you something just may not be right. Because of my experience I questioned alot of my treatment and educated myself on all things cancer. If there is any "peace" in cancer I would say that accepting the bad days and taking advantage of the good days gave me some peace when something was out of my control. I'm now on the otherside of treatment and trying to get my normal back. Whatever that is-I'm still trying to find it. I'm grateful for my family, friends, co-workers, and even complete strangers who in some way or another helped me throughout the scariest chapter in my life. I look forward to turning the page and starting a new chapter.

Jessica Shephard
Tampa, FL