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My God has the final word

About three months ago around November 17,2013, I noticed two lumps in my right breast. I remember feeling discomfort laying down on my chest or even wearing something firm fitted against that particular area. I was talking to my sister and my grandma about this on Thanksgiving day and my sister suggested for me to schedule a mammogram in which I never had one before. My sister and I talked all the time discussing the importance of having a mammogram since we both are in our mid forties. My sister already had her first mammogram about 4 yrs ago when we lost our mom from cervical cancer. I know we had both promised her we would take better care of our health in regards to this subject. So I scheduled my mammogram in which the earliest they could take me was January 2, 2014. During this period of time I was praying, crying, stressing..... I had so many mix emotions going on at one time but I never gave up on God's holy words. The day finally came for my mammogram and ultrasound. During the procedures,they discovered for four lumps totally in each breasts. I was devastated because she could not give me an infinite response to my question. Which was is it benign or malignant? She wanted to schedule a MRI first before she could reassure me. The MRI was schedule for January 7, 2014. After my MRI was finished on that day I was informed that my results may take up to a week. I went home that day and I prayed and cried some more but I never let go of God's holy words. On January 10, 2014 , I received a call with my results from the MRI and she informed me that there was no cancer found. I have a condition in my breasts called Fibrosis which is the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ and its benign. I am praising God for giving me His holy words , who report will you believe.

Anonymous
Birmingham, AL

second time survivor

I first had cancer in 1998. it was stage 0 and I had a lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation. I had turned 50 that year. I started getting my mammograms at age 40 every two years. then at age 50 I was going to be getting them every year. that is when they found something on my mammogram. it was not even a lump. I worked every day and it was in a warehouse and left early each day during the week for my radiation. I thought I was cancer free and I was for 14 years.
in jan of 2013 it had come back in the same left breast. the first time I had cancer I was in denial. this time I was in shock. I had to have somogram and later a biopsy and then later and mri. this time it was a stage 1. it was caught early. the only option I had was to get a mastectomy. I started reconstruction but it did not work out. I had 4 surgeries and two bladder infections. I will not go through this again. I have bras that I put my prosthesis in. I will have one more surgery. in feb of this year I will get the escess skin removed. I am a second time survivor thanks to god. I will have to take pills for 5 years and maybe 5 years more.i am so glad I did not have to have chemo. I have my good and bad times. but I am thankful and grateful and blessed. please ladies get your mammograms and keep getting them god bless.

teresa deweese
vinton, VA

mawmaw Faye

When I was growing up my grandma was my rock my world my best friend. We did everything together! If I had a problem she was the first one I would go to. I pretty much lived with her when I could. She made it no secret that I was her favorite but I also did everything I could for her. In 1988 she was diagnosed with this awful cancer breast cancer. And was kicking its butt until one day in 1997 I returned home from school when she told me the news, it was back, and stronger this time. She immediately began treatments I went with her to every chemo and radiation treatment. She had beat it once she would beat it again i was sure. I was with her when her hair began to fall out I would sweep it up then hug her as she cried. It was the hardest thing at 14 that I had went through. On July 12th 1998 she lost her battle and went home to be with the lord. Someone once asked me why I buy all the breast cancer awareness things and without hesitation I replied so some other little girl won't lose her rock her world and her best friend. To anyone who is fighting or has fought this horrible cancer my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Monica White
Hurricane, WV

Tribute to my mom

This is my tattoo in memory of my mom who passed away in 1986 from breast cancer. She loved lilacs which are represented in this tattoo as well as her name on the pink ribbon. I pray for those that are currently battling cancer, those that have survived/conquered and those that have passed. May God bless them all!

Julie
Rogers, MN

My Cancer Journey

It was February, 2012 and I went for my regular mammogram. I'd had DCIS in the left breast in 2008 which was treated with a lumpectomy and radiation and had been doing just fine. I had the mammogram and went to Las Vegas for a sisters get-together and had a wonderful time. When I got home, there was a letter in my mailbox advising me that I needed to go in for additional views. Okay, I've been here before, and I just figured it was maybe scar tissue or something from my previous cancer so I was not worried. I went for the additional views and found out it was my right breast they were looking at – not the left. The technician did the mammogram and then an ultra-sound, and took the results in to the radiologist. Next thing I know, he is walking into the room. I know that is not a good sign! He recommended an MRI. I had the MRI and there was a tumor, it was deep and not easy to feel. I met with my surgeon and after discussing the results of the mammogram I decided to go with the bi-lateral mastectomy because they were indicating an area of 'suspicion' on the left. She removed both breasts and 13 lymph nodes – ten of the nodes were positive.

I had my surgery and everything went well. I went in for my week follow-up and my doctor took one look at me and said 'you need to go to the ER right now'. Wait, What? So, next thing I know I am in the emergency room, although I really do not remember much of what happened. I was in the hospital another week before being released to start treatment. I did chemo, radiation, and one year of Herceptin infusions.

By God's grace and will I am still alive and enjoying my life. Sometimes I get scared the cancer will return, but for the most part I am just grateful to be alive and try not to dwell on what might happen in the future.

Peggy
Pasco, WA

Always a lesson

I was eleven when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I didn't know anything about it, but that word still terrorized me. The day she told me she had breast cancer was the most dreadful day of my life. My childhood suddenly stopped. My mom explained me everything very well and went through all the steps -operation, chemo, radiation- like a warrior. She never allowed herself to doubt or show that she was tired. I had never seen such strength and motivation in a person. She had that light shining in her eyes. Every time I looked at her, I couldn't help but smile. Every day, she reassured me and told me she was going to be OK. She wouldn't let me see her bald, because she knew it was too much for me to take in. Every day, I realized what a wonderful mother and woman she was and that I would give anything to save her life.
Finally, after various operations and more than one year of fighting, she announced me that she was a breast cancer survivor. That was the most beautiful day of my life. I could breathe and smile again. I learnt that hope and determination are powerful weapons.
My mom's cancer may have been the worst period of my life, but it taught me so much about life and strength and I am grateful for that. I know there is nothing more important in the world than life and the ones of those we love. Since then, I get up every morning with a smile on my face, because I am just happy to be alive and proud to say that my mother is a breast cancer survivor.

Anonymous
Geneva, Switzerland

My Journey

On Feb 26th 2009 I went in to see my doctor, I remember when I booked the appointment I said that I needed him to "reassure me about something". For many months I could feel this very large lump on my left breast. Let me first say that I am an RN, that works in a doctors office. I deal with doctors that assess women my age (35) and constantly reassure them that the lumps they feel are just cyclic lumps. I would make comments about my lump and it would be fluffed off. So, I just chalked it down to that I was just a neurotic nurse because I work in a doctors office and see all sorts of things....
Anyway, I went in to see my GP, he assessed me thoroughly and then ordered a rushed mammogram. (Which I had the next day). That day was a Friday. I went in for my very first mammogram. The procedure itself took almost an hour, and then the tech took it upon herself to do an ultrasound. I spent the weekend worrying and fussing and late Monday morning I called the ultrasound place (I knew them well there, since I work for doctors) and asked them if they could possibly rush the report. By 2 that afternoon my doctor's secretary called me into the office ASAP. I knew the results wouldn't be good.
Eventually after a core biopsy I was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. I was advised to have a mastectomy given the size of the tumor. I had a left radical mastectomy with the removal of 18 lymph nodes on March 30th 2009. 8 of these lymph nodes were positive for metastatic cancer, I had an aggressive stage 3 breast cancer. After healing I went to the cancer clinic and went through 6 rounds of chemo, then 40 rounds of radiation.
I am almost at 5 years and doing well, with a few minor hiccups. It is a tough journey but once diagnosed you go into survival mode and you fight the biggest fight of your life!

Jennifer Lamondin
Stratford, Canada

Survivor 17 years

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996, I went in for a breast reduction and they found it in the pathology lab. I didn't get a second opinion, which I wish I would have but I didn't know what to do, I was scared, I just listened to the doctors. Next step to find out what stage I was in, I had no idea about stages, and went through another surgery to have lymphnodes removed, big mistake, the doctor took out 28 lymphnodes and I now have lymphedema. But if that's all I have to live with, I'm one of the lucky ones.

Bonnie
Cape Canaveral, FL

NINE YEAR SURVIVOR

At 59 years old I had a lumpectomy sentinel node in 2004 after being diagnosed with Stage 2-3 breast cancer. What led up to finding the cancer was a cardiology stress test that showed a shadow, I was sure there was nothing wrong with my heart. Next step was a mammogram and that is when it all started...had a biopsy and within one week had the surgery. Within a week I was back to work and ready to take on the world. I opted to not have chemotherapy, but had 25 radiation treatments that were scheduled at the end of my work day. Our local hospital had fairly new radiation equipment and I was one of the first to put it to good use, I was named in a newspaper article written on the new technology. My life has been blessed with an eye opening experience that, I feel, has made me a better person.

Sue
Winter Haven, FL

My last chemo appointment 1/9/14

I am a Stage 3 Breast Cancer warrior who just celebrated having my last chemo treatment on 1/9/14 after 16 rounds. Although I still have surgery, radiation and Herceptin treatment to face I am glad the worst is over. I will keep fighting!

Tricshone Jiles

Tricshone Jiles
Jacksonville, FL