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36 days ago my life changed...

Thirty six days ago my life changed. I was diagnosed, as you know, with breast cancer. I vacillate between disbelief and determination and fear. There are moments when I still can't believe that I have cancer. There are moments when I forget - only to remember and be literally paralyzed by my fear. Then I remember who I am, and I remember that there is no courage without fear. And I come from a long line of very courageous women. I don't know what the future brings. No one does - I didn't plan for this, but I will do my very best to provide comfort to all who love me by sharing my experience. I will endeavor comfort to those walking a similar path to my own - a path not chosen but one that I will walk with intention.

This morning, I cried as I washed my hair. This afternoon, with intention, I will shave my head. Cancer will not determine how I walk the path laid down before me. I may not have chosen this road, but I will choose my method of travel.

With strength, support, and intention.

Amanda Schroeder
Portland, OR

Christmas 2013

Each year my daughters get matching pjs on Christmas Eve. I joined in and we have matching t shirts. My family and friends are a true support as I have gone through surgery, half my chemo treatments and then on to radiation. My wonderful ob/gyn detected a lump when the mammogram didn't the month before. I have met tons of courageous women as we tell our stories during chemo treatments. I haven't read anything I've brought with me on those days. Hang in there everyone.

Cheryl
St. Louis, MO

My surprise

In May 2012, I went for my annual mammogram and that is where my cancer was found. I did not feel any lump at all. I was 44 when diagnosed. I went through surgery, 16 rounds of chemo and 25 rounds of radiation. Lost all my hair! But I finished my herceptin treatments this past July and my new baseline mammogram from September was ALL CLEAR!!! Throughout this journey I have seen the love from friends and family and have made new friends. By sharing my experiences, two ladies went for mammograms and found their cancer.
They got treatment and are SURVIVORS like me!

Autumn
Frankfort, KY

Fighting. Loving. Living.

I am 28 years old and was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer. I felt a lump in my right breast in the beginning of this year (2013) but was reassured that because of my young age it was more than likely fibrosis tissue and was completely normal. I was seen by a doctor in early September as it was becoming more and more worrisome. This doctor ordered a mammogram and the turmoil began. I had four tumors in my right breast and underwent a bilateral mastectomy. Surgery confirmed I had a positive lymph node which was a bummer to the treatment because it ensured I would need to go through chemotherapy for 16 weeks, starting November 6th. I will then go through 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. After radiation I will have a couple reconstruction surgeries.
My husband was diagnosed with malignant melanoma September 2012. He underwent two surgeries at which point they determined that the melanoma had spread to his auxiliary lymph nodes. He had lymph nodes removed and after two surgeries he started chemotherapy in January of this year, 2013. His initial treatment consisted of IV infusions 5 days a week for 4 weeks. After that he went directly into giving himself injections at home 3 days a week which would last 11 months. His treatment makes him feel like he has the flu. It is hard sometimes for him because with his treatment he did not loose his hair making him seem "normal" on the outside but feeling like a 90 year old man on the inside.

We have been through so much but through it all have stuck together and made the most out of our situations! It has taught us so much about life, love and family. My husband and I are currently going through treatment together. He finishes up the end of December and my chemo will end February 13th! We would love to be an inspiration for people battling cancer and share our story to inspire others to fight.

Danielle Sweazey
Gresham, OR

I couldn't believe it!!!!

Two years ago I noticed that a cyst in my right breast had gotten bigger. This freaked me out and so I went to the doctor. She sent me to get a mammogram and ultra sound. When I went in for the ultra sound, I knew it was not going to be good news. The doctor said that they saw something under the cyst that they wanted to biopsy. I was scared so they called my husband and he rushed right over to be by my side. We had to wait two unbelievably long days to hear the devastating news that I had breast cancer. Now, this news by itself is devastating…but I have also have had Crohn’s disease since I was 16 years old. In fact I almost died from that disease, so when I got the news that I had breast cancer I went through the “why me???” phase. Before the initial shock could even wear off, the process for getting the cancer out of me started full force.

The past two years have gone by faster than I would have thought. I went through chemo, radiation and multiple surgeries to get this out of me, and it worked!!! I am now cancer free. The process was not easy by any means. I did not enjoy the loss of my hair and all the other horrible side effects from chemo and radiation. Nor did I relish the multiple surgeries I had to go through for the double mastectomy and reconstruction. I am thankful that I had such wonderful doctors to get me through this!! Also, the whole process was made a lot easier thanks to my wonderful husband and daughter, my awesome brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, mom, family and friends. I could not have gotten through without all the support I received from all the people in my life!! I am blessed to have all these people in my life and to help me get through one of the worst times ever!! Thank goodness that is done and here’s to Happy and Healthy 2014 and being a survivor

Mel
Cincinnati, OH

Cowgirl Tough

In the Spring of 2012 I was brushing my horse off, he was tossing his head around being silly in one sweeping move he tossed his head right into my left breast. I had a large hematoma develop and the doctors said that scar tissue takes a long time to go away, we'll watch it. By January of 2013 I had a small break out on the same breast, doctors said, the breast is too swollen for a mammogram, we don't see cancer from an injury. In February I had a chronic cough, new doctor took chest x ray, said you have pneumonia sent me home with antibiotics. Got a call the next day, doc says, 'what if' that was cancer?? Sent me for an ultrasound and to an oncologist, she took a biopsy and before it was even out the door she told me I had advanced aggressive inflammatory breast cancer and that there was nothing they could do for me but slow it down. My husband and I went home that Friday afternoon dumb founded and devastated. What the heck was happening? I was extremely healthy, strict diet, exercise, athletic, how could this be? We decided to go to the big city they immediately gave me hope. I got the correct diagnosis, triple positive breast cancer and you have years to live. I had 4 liters of fluid around my left lung, halfway through my first treatment I could not breathe, they stopped the treatment and to the hospital I went. April 24th was my first treatment two weeks later I was back on my horse. My tumor markers dropped record fast, and have been staying in the norm. With my family and incredible friends and my horses, I have survived and will for many years to come!!

Maria
Palisades, WA

38 and a Happily Pregnant

We waited years for a doctor to tell us: "You’re pregnant." I never imagined just a few months after we heard those words, I would hear four more: "You have breast cancer." I still tear up when I recall those words, yet smiles and joy come when thinking of my special gift from God, my blessing, Sydney Marie. Sydney is the happy outcome of a painful period of my life, when the joy of motherhood was shadowed by surgery, chemotherapy treatments, hair loss, and uncertainty. It's a combination that seemed too cruel to be true. I was only 38, had no family history of breast cancer, and didn't know pregnant women could develop the disease. Then more devastation came when the surgeon said “the pregnancy is not a viable option”. I thought to myself, what if I get through the pregnancy, have a baby, and then die shortly after?

Dr Mohamed met with us during her lunch hour. The next day, I underwent a complete mastectomy. A month later, I began chemotherapy infusions every three weeks. I was determined to have a normal pregnancy. Before and after every surgery and chemotherapy treatment, clinicians let me hear my baby's heartbeat. On September 26, 2000, I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. The joy of giving birth was followed by another 6 treatments of chemotherapy.

Hardest for me: the initial chemotherapy infusions, not knowing what if any affects it could have on our baby. I prayed daily asking God to show me she was protected. God gave me that sign. I knew the moment Sydney was born she was blessed. You see, at the time of birth I had lost my hair due to chemotherapy, however, the moment I laid eyes on Sydney I knew God protected her – my blessing Sydney was born with a full head of hair. I cried tears of joy and thanked God for His sign and removing any guilt.

Looking back at my life experience, I give thanks for the abundance of joy and love that surrounds me today and every day.

Gena
Perrysburg, OH

My Story

The day of a scheduled mammogram I was at work and noticed a knot on my left breast. When I got to the appointment I told the tech about the knot. She refused to perform the mammogram. She referred me to a Radiologist. He performed a mammogram and ultrasound on my breast and sent me to my primary physician. My physician sent me to a surgeon. One day I left a meeting at work & noticed I had a voicemail. It said, “The surgeon wants you here at 2:15.” It was 2:19. I called in a panic and they said, “Come now.” My primary physician had run into him and told him he wanted me treated ASAP. That day he said, “We can do the biopsy right now if you want.” I said, “Do it.” He told me, “I’m 99% certain this is cancer.” The next week he confirmed it was cancer. Luckily Stage 1-2. He scheduled the lumpectomy. My mom, sister, 2 daughters & granddaughter all showed up wearing pink.
I had my first chemo treatment on Halloween day. I could have taken throwing up for 5 days, but I had never taken steroids. Thanks to them I did not sleep for 8 nights!! When it was time for round 2 of chemo I told my oncologist, “Either we reduce the dosage of steroids or I won’t take them.” He reduced the dosage. Round 2 was a breeze. Round 3 made me a little nauseous. Round 4 will be on January 9. Then I’ll move onto radiation. Did I mention I’m in grad school? Thank goodness my classes end in February – the same time I start 32 days of daily radiation.
I have yet to shed a tear over this diagnosis. I’m confident God will take care of me.

Paula Adams
Picayune, MS

My Journey has just begun

On December 12, 2013 I went to see a doctor after my mom seeing the indentation on my left breast as a horrible sign. The doctor took one look said I had a tumor and sent me directly to over for a mammogram. The next day, he called to inform me that he had arranged for a surgeon to contact me to schedule surgery. The surgeon called me that very day and after meeting with him he informed me that the tumor definitely needed to come out ASAP and that he would do what he could to try to save the breast but it wasn't a guarantee due to the location of the tumor.

On Monday, December 16th I was scheduled for surgery at which time they removed only the tumor and 9 lymph nodes of which 8 were cancer along with the tumor. I am currently recovering from the surgery and awaiting my Jan 2nd consultation with the oncologist and radiation therapist. I was diagnosed has having infiltrating (invasive) ductal carcinoma. I do not know, however, what stage I am at and only that aggressive treatment will be required. I am staying positive and praying for a cancer free outcome.

I received for Christmas a quilt, made by my whole family with a photo album showing the progress of the quilt with notes of encouragement and support. The quilt will be my reminder that as I go through this process I am not alone but wrapped in the warmth, love and support of my family.

Everything I read, and I do a lot of it, is all about keeping a positive and upbeat attitude. That appearances is not about what's on the outside but what is on the inside. So as I take my next steps, I will try to remember all the words I have read, all the support I am given from family and friends and believe in myself, the doctors and God to see me through this. Happy New Year to all, that we will be survivors in 2014!

Theresa
Eau Claire, WI

I. Am. A. FIGHTER. A SURVIVOR.

At 46 and 7 weeks before a three week family Disney reunion/vacation. I discovered a lump in my right breast 3 months prior and didn't really give it much thought as in the past I was always told that it was just my cycle or an inflamed milk duct. But something made this different. My husband urged me to have it checked out just in case, so I did. My family doctor gave me a referral for both a mammogram and a breast surgeon consult. The mammogram was normal. The surgeon did an ultrasound and a biopsy. A few weeks later, the word cancer came into our lives. I just laughed. All I could think of we're my boys (14, 8, 2), my husband and our vacation. The next few weeks went by in a flash. I had a segmental mastectomy, I had genetic testing, consults you name it. My BRCA I & II were negative, as was my sentinel node biopsy. I was a Stage II, not Stage I as initially thought. I met with radiology and medical oncology. I had an Oncotype done, which left me more confused, as I was 13%, above the 10% and way below my doc's recommended 22-25%. I prayed HARD! I finally decided to go for it. I had too much to live for. My doctors allowed me to start chemo after my vacation. I returned on a Sunday, that Monday I had my port placed and Thursday I was receiving my first chemo dose a cocktail of Taxotere and Cytoxan. I received a dose every three weeks x 6. My last dose was yesterday 12-31-13! January I begin radiation, and then Tamoxifen. I have been BLESSED with my faith, family, being able to do this for the most part with a smile on my face, (even while losing my hair), friends and my FB family for the love, support and many words of encouragement. It was tough, but I fought like a girl, and came out a woman warrior! I thank God. I pray that I may inspire someone even just one.

Theresa Hill
Wilmington, DE