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4 years cancer free !!

I had a lump 2 years previous had a mammogram and was told it was just lumpy breasts so I just got used to it but I started to get pain and was conscious of it more and more mentioned to gp a year later and was fobbed off saying I'd had it checked so left it another year but I was getting more stabbing pains so went back to another gp who sent me back to the one stop clinic. But she did say usually nasty ones don't hurt!! So on the day I went on my own thinking that they'd tell me the same thing. But this time straight away brought in a consultant who told me I needed mammo ultrasound n biopsy.
After a few hours I was taken into a room with doctors n nurses n told the news I had breast cancer !! My world fell apart I had 2 daughters was recently divorced and was in a new relationship of just over a year !! I had my lumpectomy operation just b4 Xmas and was told that hopefully they had caught it early and I would only need radiotherapy but I went for results to be told it had spread into my lymph nodes so would need another operation and aggressive and be prepared for the fight of your life !!
That it was the chemo nearly killed me as I became neutropenic after every one !! But 4 years later I am still here just waiting for results of my yearly mammogram I suffer with lymphodemia in my arm and breast and still have chronic fatigue n aches and pains . People think that your now ok .but you have to learn to live with this new you you do feel diffrent life will never be the same and you will always worry but I feel blessed to be here I have the support of my partner who helped through every step of the way and with the love and support of him and my daughters I feel very lucky !! X

Rozita
York, United Kingdom

Breast Cancer Free

Hi everyone,my name is Lisa Sutton. Back in May 28,2013 had surgery to remove 4spots of stage2 breast cancer. It was worse scare of my life. You never know what will happen. LIFE changed so much. This the time you need family and friends the most. So please be there if you have a friend or family member going thur any kind cancer. Support and Prayers is one most important medicine. On December 26,2013, got my all clear,Cancer Free.So in this new year of 2014,hope stay cancer free. I'm feeling so Blessed. That God gave me second chance in life. Promise to live life as there is no tomorrow, support and Help anyone going thur cancer. Hope to be cancer free for long time to come.
Remember ladies,
FIGHT LIKE A GIRL, YOU CAN WIN......
I FOUGHT, IM BREAST CANCER FREE....

Lisa Sutton
Strawberry Pl, Tennessee, TN

Viola

my story begins November 2001, that was when my older sister found out she had breast cancer. she went on to have chemo and radiation, and in the end it was too late, the cancer had spread into the bones. October 27, 2003 she died from it. leaving behind three children a husband and two grandchildren, along with many family members and friends who all miss her very much, she was brave through it all. she was 45 years old when she passed away. ........... in loving memory of my sister Viola

maria burton
Gloversville, NY

strong and hopeful

I have tried and tried over the past couple of years. I am a beast cancer survivor 4 times, however I'm battling the AWEFUL pain of hearing again that " you have a mass on the left side of breast". Which is frustrating because I was doing everything I needed to, & just got done with my last treatment not to long ago. So I sit here with disgusted and anger on why? Who is challenging me? It's like they say, God don't give us more then we can handle. That statement made me mad because my thought was how much more do I have to show I'm strong. But no matter what with family and friends I get the support to get through this yet again. Because quitting isn't a option.

Anonymous
waukesha, WI

Awareness is Key

My story starts with a little pimple that I noticed on my left breast in mid-November. Initially I was going to wait until my annual exam in March, but decided to call for an appointment a few days before the Thanksgiving holiday. My doctor confirmed the pimple was just that, a zit, but after a thorough breast exam she discovered a lump…in my right breast! I felt it, and was terrified. I was sent for imaging immediately, which resulted in 2 separate biopsies. I waited through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend for the news. On Monday, 12/2, my OBGYN called me; I was diagnosed with IDC. I am scheduled for surgery this month. It’s been an emotional roller coaster, with more ups and downs than I can count, but I know I will get through it. I have an amazing husband, and a great support group of family and friends. I truly believe this is happening for a reason, and I am about to embark on a pretty amazing journey. Cancer has always been one of my biggest fears, especially after losing close family members to various types, and now I am facing that fear head on. There is no going back, and it doesn’t help to feel sorry for myself. I will fight this, and I will be fine. Prevention is always better than cure, and I hope folks will make the commitment to themselves to schedule all required doctors’ visits (and keep the appointment). Please don’t ever let anything get in the way of your health and wellness, and remember that awareness is key; always pay attention to your body. It may have seemed silly at the time, but I am so glad I called about that little pimple.

Amy English
Boston, NY

Refuse to Sink

My story starts in May 2013, the diagnosis, advanced lobular carcinoma. What?????? I'm only 41 yrs. old, yes I have grandmothers on both sides of the family that have had it, but both post menopausal. This can't be happening, I have a husband, three kids, I'm PTO President, etc. I thank God everyday that it was my 6th month follow up visit, and in the state of Connecticut if you have dense tissue you can have an ultrasound. My mass didn't even show up on the mammogram.

In July I had a double mastectomy, that may have been one of the easiest decisions. Cancer does a number on you both mentally and physically, it's not an easy road and after a few complications and 12 weeks of chemo, I am happy to say that I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I have an amazing family and wonderful friends that have supported me along the way, them along with a positive attitude and the ability to laugh at yourself are the things that made all of this easier. I recently celebrated the end of chemo with a tattoo, my new motto, " Refuse to Sink". Whatever life throws at me I will over come it and what doesn't kill you, make you stronger!

Cara Spath
Southbury, CT

Surviving Big Daddy and his babies

On my 36th birthday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I do not have a family history, no high risk factors, no signs/symptoms or other indicators that would cause suspicion of cancer. I guess you never really think about who makes up the ONE of the 1 in 8 women who will get breast cancer. In an instant, my world had been turned upside down. After a year of treatment and surgeries, I was given the all clear.

In 2011, I found myself hearing those same words again. Yes, its cancer and it’s not good. Tumors located throughout my skull, one on my spine another on my pelvic bone. One tumor so large it was unreal and pressing down on my brain.

Treatment was hard and it was scary. But as I began to pray to God about these things, I started to realize that I was looking at this the wrong way. You see, when I complained about having my head bolted down to a table with a mask covering my face to where I could hardly breathe for 20 minutes for radiation, I thought my claustrophobia would get the best of me. But I began to look forward to that time, I even named my machine Sid. I also named my tumor Big Daddy and the smaller ones "his babies". Humor is very important to have. I would blog about how Sid and I had a love/hate relationship. I loved that he was destroying Big Daddy but hated he was also destroying me!

A lot of times people call me a surviver, but that isn't how I see it. I realize now that before cancer I was just surviving, - today I am living! By the way, even though the babies have moved out, Big Daddy and I still are roommates so to speak. However, as long as he keeps behaving himself, we can continue to live in perfect harmony!!

Kelli Beckman
Denham Springs, LA

The story of a warrior..

My name is Myriam and my story started in 1999, i got a cyst on my right breast and had a high fever and so l went to the hospital where they popped it , and so every year l kept on getting this cyst back about three times a year, well in 2008 l got my mammogram and the dr told me that i had to get a biopsy, so than they told me l had breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and in Dec 29th, 2008 l started my chemo, l was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive carcinoma and had 36 lymph nodes removed, l had 12 rounds of chemo and 31 of rsdiation, it was the hardest thing l had ever encountered, after that l had my reconstruction in 2 days l started having a real high fever and found out my body rejected the implant. Because of my pills that l have to take for 5 years i developed osteoporosis and have been having the hardest time with pain all over my body, l just thank God that he gave me the best husband anyone could have, he has ben through everything with me and l dont know what l would of done without him, my kids and my brothers and most of all my mom. I always thank my drs and the nurses that cared for me and l will keep on fighting against everything. Thank you for letting me tell u my story and to all the women and men that are diagnosed dont ever give up keep on fighting and someday they will find a cure for this terrible disease. God Blees you all.

Myriam
Fort Worth, TX

MUM <3

My mum got diecnosed with breast cancer a month ago when she told me this it felt like the world had just caved in and the earth stood still. I kept thinking in my head this is not happing it's mum mum never gets ill and I knew at that moment of time I had to do somthing so doing the race for life this year to help raise money for cancer patients. I really wanna do more to help and other family's that are going through what me and my family are going through. So that's my story about my most amazing and beautiful mum in the world live you with all my heart mum you are my rock and best friend <3

Nerys
Gosport, United Kingdom

My Breast Cancer Learning Curve

My Dance with Breast Cancer started with a frozen Section at 35 years! Deemed High Risk the Mammogram/Ultrasound was like a disco dance to start with then changed to a Waltz. 2003 was my last Mammogram The bruising had me seeing a surgeon who didn't know what to do, I said; 'open biopsy with a frozen section', he said 'don't do that anymore' Outcome..open biopsy, then a rushed Radical Mastectomy. (But the surgeon went back to doing frozen sections) Had other breast off for safety. None told me about reconstruction when I needed it but I save a fortune in not having to buy bras! Chemo, radiation with second degree burns to my chest. I called quits to it halfway through my last week. The doctor said he hoped I would not regret that decision. I said if I was to rue anything it would have been having the diagnosis made. The inability to clear the cancer I had my first bone secondary with 18 months. Here I am coming up to my Tenth Anniversary and I have lost count of the bone 'metastases' and I feel just fine. I was forced to resign my job, I lost my boobs, have been sent virtually broke with the pills and visits and the hidden cost of being on a pension. What I have learned Cancer and having a bent sense of humour I feel quite proud of the fact that Life's meaning is 42! Something I have found that works well to reduce 'SFX's' to chemo is lots of anti-oxidants. The Dance I do these is what ever I want to! I Dragon Boat Paddle, I swim and keep a journal and share my wit and wisdom with others. My Aunt had Breast Cancer and lived til 80's, my brother had Renal Cancer which he beat with a treatment purchased over seas, it was the undiagnosed Bowel Cancer that took him from us. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that is why it is called the present, live in the present and smile!

Joanna van der Drift
Townsville, Australia