Share Your Story

I want to hear you ROAR!!!!

Beating cancer I believe is 50% your attitude/ outlook and 50% your supporters and include your treatment team with that! You might not be able to change the outcome but you can make it some of the best life changing times with your outlook. Having cancer is a journey, not only your journey but for those that are in your life traveling along with you. If this disease shall take you, may those that traveled with you say that they fought hard, made it the best they could and kept their chin up! Sometimes it's best to just smile and laugh because that's all you can do! Because "I've got the eye of the Tiger, the Fighter and you're going to hear me ROAR!!!!!!!"

Vanessa Anderson
New Bern, NC

cancer free

I had non hodkins Lymphoma and I am in remission myself and as soon as I got the news of my remission my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, she had to have double mastectomy and now she is in remission, God is really looking down on us and I am so thankful for that we both went through some rough times but we were there for each other. I lost my husband with skin cancer so I was a caregiver for 3 years with him and four years later I was told I had lymphoma, so life has had our ups and downs and all of this has made me and my daughter stronger...so stay strong to anyone who is going through this kind of ordeal, and God Bless.....

Ginny Sielicki-Wells
Louisa, VA

The Love Of A Mother

I wish my mom was here to tell you her story, but I'll tell you instead.
I found out that my mom had breast cancer this past September, ironically finding out on Friday the 13th. I found out that my mom had stage four breast cancer for three years now. Three years. Neither me nor my siblings knew about it. My mom is the most unselfish person you could ever meet and all she did in life was protect us and she tried to give back to our community any way she could. My mom didn't tell us she had cancer, because she wanted to protect us. She did everything she could to protect us. She told us we were her inspiration to keep fighting, because family is the most important thing. We stayed with my mom in the hospital everyday for about a month, and then the doctors told us the worst possible news: that this is the end, there is nothing more they can do. I lost my mom in October of this year, but she put up the biggest fight against cancer. No one knows how strong my mom was and how much she has inspired me.
My mom is my biggest inspiration. Without her, her courage and her love, I wouldn't be who I am today. In a matter of one month, I learned my mom had cancer and then I lost her. She has inspired me so much, that I promised her I will continue with school, and go to college. I'm even planning on going for medicine and cancer research. She has inspired so many people in my family and within our community that her spirit will never die. Along with my sisters, at the end of October we raised over ten thousand dollars for breast cancer research for the making strides against breast cancer walk. I will never give up on her, as I promised that one day we will find a cure. I can't express how much my mom has inspired me, and I hope to make her proud every day.

Paige
New York, NY

Celebrating life and laughter through cancer

Dec. 2013 I was given my breast cancer diagnosis....so many emotions within those few moments you hear "You have cancer".As a single mom I don't know the meaning of can't, to me that means it will only take a little longer, I will have to fight a little harder and this time laugh a little louder.

When my kids Alexa and Eriq asked what they could do, I said laugh. The result was a party the night prior to my double mastectomy!After surgery Jan. 15, 2014 I know we will have a tough road, our fight has just begun (thankfully I have my boyfriend Angel and mom Fran for the tough stuff) but for the long haul we will laugh in cancer's face until it is gone!

Thank you my dear children for you love and support. Alexa and Eriq,(in the picture above)"I ain't going' no where!" I love you both to the moon and back!Tracy DiazRichardson, TX

Tracy Diaz
Richardson, TX

A Husband's Story

I knew Tiffany had gone for her first mammogram but thought nothing of it. Time passed by without a thought. One day I pulled in the driveway- in a hurry to go from one job to another and she was standing outside. I thought it was strange but whatever. I stepped out of my truck. She grabbed my arms,looks at me in the eyes and says "I have cancer." Not really wanting to believe what I just heard, I said "what?" She repeated herself and I started to cry. I composed myself because the kids didn't know yet and I had to go in the house. After I settled down we talked about it and she told me what the plan was. Surgery, chemo,radiation. A long road ahead but I was going to be there every step of the way. Watching the ordeal unfold in front of me made me realize how precious life is. The story has a happy ending as Tiffany is now cancer free. I will hold my breath at every blood test but I know she'll be ok. Please ladies, get your mammograms. It may just save your life.

Bob Moore
Oakdale, PA

Listen to your body

November 2010 I was told there was a tiny spec on my mamogram - too tiny to do anything about. The results of the ultrasound were the same - too tiny, they would keep an eye on it, retest in 6 months. I remember looking in the mirror in December knowing something was wrong - I just did not feel right. In January 2011 I told my OBGYN and told him that I wanted the spec out. He recommended an MRI so I had one in February and it lit up like a Christmas tree. Went into surgery Stage 2 April 2011 - double masectomy- and came out Stage 3 almost stage 4. 11 Lymphnoids infected so they took 22 out. Thus began my journey into Chemoland - 6 months Chemo and 35 days Radiation. My Radiologist tells me that I had this for 5 to 6 years - you just don't become almost Stage 4 in a year. How does this happen to someone who has mamogram every year? Dense Tissue is how - women need to know this can happen and we need to listen to our bodies. My journey has made me a stronger better person - I am walking with God now and my life is so much better. Life is a gift.

Debfra Beonde
Huntington Beach, CA

6 Year Survivor!!

October 2006 I was diagnosed with bi-lateral stage 2 breast cancer. As you can imagine, this was a very scary time in my life. Two surgeries, 16 weeks of chemo and 7 weeks of radiation, and now 6 years later I remain cancer free! I had wonderful support from my family and friends to get through this difficult time in my life, but I also believe that a positive attitude is a must when going through cancer! My first chemo treatment was two weeks before Christmas and my hair fell out one week before Christmas. Needless to say, I was very self concious about my family seeing me bald for the first time, but I went with a santa hat on my head (no wig) and it was one of the best Christmas' I ever had. One of our family friends showed up at my parents house with a santa hat on his head also, and when he took his hat off, he was bald too! He shaved his head just so I wouldn't be the only one bald! What a great guy! So, anyone who is going through a similar situation, surround yourself with positive people, keep your head up and stay strong!! You ARE beautiful!!!

Debbie Pounds
Howell, MI

My story

I was 47 yrs old. In January 2012 I took a Zumba class. After the class I took a shower and my hand brushed over my right breast and I felt a hard pea sized bump. I called to get a mammogram the next day because it was a few weeks away from my annual. They said I had to wait til it was due. Luckily my gynocologist got me in that day. They said they needed to do a biopsy but it looked like a fibroadnoma ( I had had 2 before). That same week I had seen an attorney about filing for divorce . When I got the news that it was breast cancer I instinctively wanted a double mastectomy and as soon as possible. I barely remember the next 2 weeks. I just remember my mother always telling me I had inner strength and I had an 8 yr old son so surviving is my only option. Even though the tumor was small I had 7 positive lymph nodes .i had 4 months of chemo and 5 weeks of radiation. When I had my first catscan after chemo there were nodules on my thyroid . I had them checked out immediately and came to find out I had thyroid cancer as well. I said how could this be? My doctors said one thing has nothing to do with the other. After radiation I had my thyroid removed. My family and friends were terrific.My sister said since I always hated my hair I should get a great wig. Even though my hair is back Im still wearing it! I separated from my husband and realize how short life is, so we must make it great!

Susan Greenberg
Red Bank, NJ

Early detection

When i found the lump in my left breast i was like its nothing probably just a cyst. And when i found out on October 8th 2012 that i had breast cancer
I was in shock, scared, couldn't even think stright. I have never cried and prayed so much in my life. I had several test after and they thought there was lumps in my lymph nods, right then and there i was falling in my husbands arms and seeing my kids and granddaughter and husband loosing me. I was so scared. After a biopsy was taken of my lymph nods there was nothing found. I was able to breath again. With all the support from my husband and my family I under went surgery on November 21 2012. I decided to have both breast removed, because the right had 4 cyst also, and my doctor said that more and likely i would end up with issues if i didnt.
After 4 hours of surgery and placement of tissue expanders, i was able to go home within 2 days. Since then i have went through several injections to expand my chest for my implants. I now have my implants, and I am on a pill for the next 5 years, and I don't have to have any chemo and to this day I am 1 year cancer free. I am blessed that i found the lump very early. Early detection is best.

lisa st felix
Dayton, OH

my journey

In early 2005 i found a lump in my right breast and thankfully it ended up being a cyst and it was drained. After that i did self exames and march of 2013 another lump was found in my left breast. I thought it was another cyst so i made an appt. The routine was the same, mammogram, ultra sound but they added a biopsy this time. I knew at that point something was wrong. April 10th 2013 i got the call, the Dr. needed to see me and i was informed i had invasive ductal carcinoma. Everythjng after that went pretty fast, when i met with the surgeon and went through all the tests i was then told i had Triple negative breast cancer, stage 2b, grade 3 with a 3.5 cm. tumor. The course of action was lumpectomy, chemo, then radiation. I did 4 rounds of AC, 4 rounds of taxol, and 6 weeks of radiation, the chemo was rough and i had a lot of side effects, i spent the night in the hospital due to the taxol, it just was not a easy time for me. I lost my hair but that seemed like a small price to pay for something that is going to save my life! I am done with all my treatments, i am figuring out what my new normal is going to be. I am dealing with the after effects of chemo and that for me is achy joints, chemo brain and some extra weight. This journey has taught me i am stronger than i thought, and if i can do this so can you! The journey is tough but with the help from my wonderful husband and family i made it through! keep fighting, never give up!! Be a strong warrior!

Terri
rancho cordova, CA