Share Your Story

What you shouldn't do...

This unfortunately is not a story of survival, this is a story to learn from and by sharing my story, I hope even one person will understand the importance of getting routine mammograms. When my mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in November of 2011, I was so astounded to visually see the cancer on her breast and was flooded with the why questions going through my head! Why didn't she go to the doctor? Why didn't she get routine mammograms? After her death in March of 2013, I vowed that in some way, shape, or form, I needed to make sure woman know the importance of routine mammograms and not to fear the results. This fear cost my mother her life! So what's the point of this story? Don't do what she did...don't let fear consume you to the point of not getting proper healthcare! So what you should do is be brave, be courageous, and take that first step for a healthy you...what you shouldn't do is put it off, pass it off or ignore your symptoms because that my friends is what can save your life to this horrible disease! Only you know your body so take charge and do what you need to do to maintain a happy and healthy you!! So my plea is not to do what my mother did by putting it off or ignoring her symptoms!
My mother fought a great battle...she was courageous, and never complained, so I will always be proud of her! RIP Mom!

Alisha
Orestes, IN

Servilias amazing battle

Servilia battled inflamitory breast cancer for a little over 4 years. Inflamitory breast cancer is known to be the "silent killer" because it grows in nests and unless you do a mammogram, you won't be able to see it. And even in some cases inflamitory breast cancer will not show up in a mamogram. Servilia was in the shower one morning and felt a rough lump under her arm, right away she went to go do a mamogram and found out she was already on stage 3 breast cancer. She was devistated however her attitude and strength is what kept her going for 4 years she fought this cancer and beat it twice however it kept coming back stronger and stronger ! Unfortunately the last time It came back it took her life :( servilias story is unique because the doctor told me himself that no other patient with that type of cancer has ever lasted that long and I am proud to call her my mother. I lost her at 20 years of age and miss her dearly,No matter how sick she felt from chemo she always got right back up and said "fuck cancer" after 3 surgerys she got right back up and said what's next? So I say to anyone going threw cancer right now, if you ever feel weak just say to yourself "fuck cancer" !! :) thank you to the breast cancer society for letting me share this story !

Melanie
Toronto, Canada

Rosie's Story

Lying in bed one night, did a self exam, found a lump on my right breast. Immediately woke up Vince (my fiance), telling him about it and the next day went to the doctor. The doctor sent me for a mammogram. I was then asked if I could wait and do an ultrasound, so I did and before you know it, I have an appointment with a surgeon to discuss results. He wants me to get a biopsy and an MRI. Everything is happening so fast and I'm beginning to worry......but still trying to stay positive. Well after almost two weeks I go see the surgeon.....sitting there waiting for him to come into the room and trying my best to stay strong, I hear "unfortunately your results came back positive, you have breast cancer" I looked at him and said, "it is"? and then I put my hands over my face and starting to cry. Everything went blank, all I thought was, am I going to die? and about my kids. I was in shock. I had a masectomy and stayed home to recover for about four weeks. Following that I needed four sessions of chemo, then five years of tamoxifen because the tests showed it was stage 2 and ER positive. Well this Wed. Jan. 8th will be my last chemo so far its been okay, I've had good days and bad days. I did lose all my hair two weeks after the first chemo, I donated it to "wigs for kids" so I didn't feel that bad. I do get tired a lot, and lots of joint pain. Climbing stairs for me is painful. Having cancer really opens your eyes, it puts things into perspective. Here I was happy, engaged to be married (second chance at happiness) healthy great kids, and I get thrown this........why? It's a journey I have to take. I smile and try my best to stay positive. If I can tell anyone out there one thing, if you find something, get it checked! Look at me stage 2 all happened within 1 month.

Rosie Alfano
Toronto, Canada

Saved!

On January 31, 2013 I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. On that day, my life changed.
February 28th I began round 1 of 4 cycles of chemo therapy, in case you are wondering, yes…I lost all my hair.
July 9th I had a bi-lateral mastectomy. From July – October I had a total of 3 surgeries & was hospitalized for 4 days due to catching a horrible staph infection.
December 6th I have begun round 1 of 2 more cycles of chemotherapy. On December 20th I go for my final round.
When I mentioned above that my life changed, this is HOW my life changed:
God’s Holy Spirit intensified. My spirit along with the Lord’s spirit had become unbreakable. It’s as if His spirit spoke deep into my soul and said “I got this!” and truly He did. God became the Captain over my body and He took every single needle injection, every dose of chemo imaginable and took every ounce of anxiousness away and brought me peace. He brought me love. He gave me comfort.
If there is anything I can do for The Lord as He has done for me this is it! I want to share what God has done in my life and how He has and continues to help me overcome these hurdles we go through in life, especially when they become life threatening and it seems as if there is absolute no control. He IS in control. He always has been. It’s just a matter of letting go and letting God be.

Florence Gomez
Irvine, CA

The Sign Says it All

At age 40 going in for a routine mammogram I never expected to hear the words "we found a small mass and need to do a biopsy". One week later I had the diagnosis....Stage 1 invasive high grade ductile carcinoma.

I spent the first few weeks in utter panic as my husband and I navigated between doctors, surgeons and my oncologist. On July 1, 2013 I had a bilateral mastectomy. On December 16, 2013 I finished 16 rounds of chemo.

Through this process I have met so many incredible survivors, doctors, nurses, staff. Their motivation has helped me stop feeling sorry for myself and face this disease. It has also inspired me to try and help others.

Tell me...what does your sign say?

Allison Calca
Cheshire, CT

Survivor

I encourage all women to get a mammogram it saved my life.The surgeon that was doing the procedure ask how I found the tumor I said it was detected on a mammogram.Where it was located would not have showed up on regular exam.I thank the Lord for healing me,I didn't have any treatments.I have been cancer free April 11,for 7 years.

Dollie Grant
Pelham, GA

Mandy... kick n' cancer

I was diagnosed in November 2013. I was 34 years old at the time. I am a wife and a mother of 2 kiddos. My daughter is 10 and my son is 4. Life stood still the day I found out I had BC. I was 34 and healthy.....how could this be happening? I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy, which was done on Dec.12 (my 35th bday)... Happy Birthday right??? Well, I also had 15 lymph nodes removed and 7 were cancerous. My tumor was 3.3cm. So, my diagnosis is stage IIIA IDC er+, pr+, her2+. I begin treatment on January 15 and I am nervous. I will have 4 rounds of AC every 2 weeks and then begin 12 weeks of Taxol and a full year of herceptin. Sometime after chemo I will have my PS do the exchange surgery to get my implants (I currently have tissue expanders). After that surgery I will have 6 weeks of radiation and then will be on an anti estrogen pill for 10 years. I have not had the genetic testing done yet, but I plan to and regardless of the outcome will most likely choose to have a full hysterectomy. Sounds like fun right???

I have learned in a very short time that my life is forever changed and it isn't all bad. Even with this terrible diagnosis great things have already happened. I realize more than ever that my connection with God is very strong. I have the best husband any woman could ever ask for, my kids are the most precious gift I have ever been given, my family is amazing, my friends rock, and my small community is beyond supportive. I am truly blessed!!!! This is scary stuff, but I know God is walking me through this journey for a reason.....I don't have all the answers yet and I may not ever completely understand, but I do know that I am strong and I will get through this. I will come through a better and wiser person! That is my story so far........

Mandy
Seymour, IN

My jorney

Hi guys on oct 2012 I received the notice, breast cancer (R) breast. Was very sad , my mom died 8 years ago from breast cancer too ! That day start a new life for my family and me. Biopsy, blood tests, MRI, more test, and surgery. Then more test and treatment ! I always feel faith that everything will be fine ! I knew great women's like Holly and Marie , we laught a lot , is the best medicine . Two months later my sister was diagnosed with BC too !!! But I was her cheerleader ! Today we are ok, she had double mastectomy , I still in treatment but happy and if I have to go again through this I will do it ! Never never loose the faith ! Fearless ! Pink sister's for ever !!

Wanda Torres
Reading, PA

My Journey Began October 2013!

I decided I wanted to lose some weight and went on a vigorous exercise and diet routine. I lost 20 lbs and that is when I found the lump. Shocked, but also saying to myself if I don't touch it then it's not there, well 3 days later I was in my primary care doctors office and sent for an ultrasound immediately. After that ultrasound I felt like I was on the rollercoaster ride from hell! Appointments, phone calls, feelings of sadness and fear and the waiting. Can't even explain how felt at any given moment but I thought I was loosing my mind.

My biopsy took place in October and from there a series of tests to get that awful phone call from the surgeon that I had breast cancer. A 2.7 cm size lump. Stage 3, triple negative breast cancer. Which had also spread to my lymph nodes. I don't know how to explain the feeling I had but it was a true presence of peace and that I could get through this. I felt powerless over this disease but I had the faith I needed to carry me through.

Each day of this journey brings me closer to being a survivor. I am determined to win this battle, no matter what it takes. Don't get me wrong, I can cry at the drop of a hat, become angry and frustrated but the true gift is I don't stay in that space very long. I have the best husband, daughter and support group anyone could ask for. Without them and more importantly without FAITH, I wouldn't be where I am today.

I have a much deeper appreciate for life today enjoying it to the fullest, One Day At A Time!

Karen
Coral Springs, FL

Breast Cancer, my story

Hello, This past November, I had mammagram, suddenly radiologist said need to get ultra sound, then said I have a tumor in my left breast, they said they need to do biopsy right away, all this happened same day. Biopsy results, bout week later, stage 2 cancer. Surgery was scheduled, my left breast was removed, was best way to get all the tumor. I can not express how difficult it is to lose my breast, however knew it was the best way to go. Then waited for blood results, to see if I have a high score or low score. High score, would have to get chemo, low score hormone blockers. Thank goodness I had low score, no chemo, do have to take hormone blockers for 5 years. Is kinda scary, am worrried bout joint, n muscle damage from taking blockers, have read that hair thinning is possible as well....Aw, would break my heart if my hair got thin or fell out. I know its just hair, I take great pride in pains making sure my hair looks nice. I have been taking the blockers for 2 days now, so far have been dizzy, loss urge to eat, all though make myself eat. Been feeling sad n scared cancer will come back. Every pain I get, I think, did cancer spread? Wow, makes my tummy hurt, could my tummy be hurting cause cancer is in there? I pray it is gone, please pray for all people who has or endured cancer. Thank you.

Deborah Brock
Greensburg, IN