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This Sailor is not world wide deployable...

While underway conducting training in preparation for our upcoming deployment, I had felt sharp pains in my left breast. After the third day, I did a self exam and felt a lump and immediately went to the ship's medical department. My Medical Officer felt the lump and wrote a consult for a mammogram at the Naval Hospital upon return to homeport. I arrived for a mammogram and ultrasound. Nothing on the mammogram but the ultrasound showed a 1.7 cm mass. A few days later a biopsy was done and they made me an appointment with the surgeon. Oct 11, 2013, I was diagnosed with IDC breast cancer. The next several weeks was a blur with radiation oncology consult, OB/Gyn consult, BRCA testing, bone scans, X-rays and MRIs. It was believed that the cancer was stage 1. After the lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy of 2 nodes, it was confirmed that the cancer was triple positive, stage 2 with a 2.2 cm mass and micrometastasis in one node. The surgeon didn't want to do more surgery and felt that chemo and radiation would take care of any cancer cells. 35 years old, giving 17 years to the US Navy and never having children, my concern is whether I will be allowed to retire at my 20 year mark. Thankfully, the Oncologist is allowing me to postpone chemotherapy so that I can go through the steps of retrieving and freezing my eggs. Next step, 8 rounds of chemo then radiation, Herceptin, and long term Tamoxifen. My medical team at the Naval Hospital is incredible and reassured me that I can still retire. My command is supportive and removed me from the ship. My fertility team is generous and compassionate. My husband that I am still a newlywed to, has shown me patience and unconditional love. I know that as I go through this journey that I will be okay because I am surrounded by an incredible support system of family and friends.

Linda Gonzalez
Hampton, VA

Fighting For Two

On March 6, 2009, I was 29 yrs old, mother to my 3 1/2 yr old son, and 17 weeks pregnant with my daughter when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a right mastectomy 2 weeks after diagnosis. Over the course of the rest of the year, I would complete 4 chemo treatments while pregnant, 16 Taxol treatments post-pregnancy, a left mastectomy and started the reconstruction process.

On July 17, 2009, at 37 weeks along, Mya Jean was born a healthy 6lb 12oz baby girl via C-section. My oncologist was very aggressive with my treatment plan (which I am so thankful for). I had Mya 3 weeks early so that I could start Taxol treatments post-pregnancy. However, right before discharging, I raised concern to her that my left arm had begun to swell. I had a blood clot in the area of my chemo port and was sent home administering Lovenox injections (blood thinner) into my abdomen. I would have to continue this therapy for 6 months to prevent further clots from forming and give the current clot time to fully dissolve.

A week after my delivery, I experienced a postpartum hemorrhage. The area where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall forms a scab in the healing process. This scab begins to shed about a week after birth. Due to being on blood thinners, my body could not stop the bleeding.

I am approaching my 5-year diagnosis anniversary. Looking back it seems so long ago, but at the same time, like it was yesterday. My oncologist announced his retirement this year, so I brought Mya to my last appointment with him. We gave him hugs, told him we'd miss him and thanked him for his care.. He bent down and looked into Mya's big blue eyes and said, "You know, you are a very special little girl. In fact, you will probably never know just how special you and your mom really are." She really is a miracle! To my fellow survivors... Go, Fight, Win!! You've got this and you are not alone :)

Leslie G.
Ames, IA

Pregnant with Cancer

In 2011, while pregnant with my 4th child I found a lump. I didn't think much because I knew I was starting to produce milk. I told my OB. He wasn't worried but sent me for an ultrasound and biopsy.

Everything was ok until I got “THE” call. It was surreal. This can’t be! I'm pregnant! Sobbing, I embraced my husband who came home when I called. I told myself they'd just cut it out and I’d be ok.

The oncologist dashed my hopes. The aggressive cancer required chemo immediately. I was stunned. Momentarily I forgot I was 6 months pregnant! I was reassured the chemo wouldn’t harm the baby.

Two weeks later and overwhelmed, I waddled into my 1st chemo session with my husband by my side, facing my biggest fear. A peace came over me when the chemo nurse whispered, "bye bye cancer". I knew God was present.

A flood of people came to our side.
Surprisingly there were many “pleasant" memories. My children were my antidepressants and my healers.

After 4 rounds of chemo I gave birth to a HEALTHY girl, never thinking I’d be bald while giving birth. My baby had more hair than I did! We basked in amazement at her very life! My moments were cut short when reality of treatments and surgery loomed ahead.

2 weeks later I was back in chemo, baby and all. A harder part of this journey was not being able to care for my newborn and 3 others. I trusted my village to watch my children. I had so much to fight for. After the last chemo I had a double mastectomy and was grateful, the cancer had not spread. Following genetic testing I had a hysterectomy and in 2012 was my final surgery.

It's now 2.5 years later and most of the time cancer seems far away. I never want to forget my "adventure" of hope and pain. Cancer tried to take us all down but we are unscathed and grateful to be not just survivors but Thrivers! LOVE is ALL powerful!

Heidi Virkus
Petaluma, CA

Mammograms Are Not Always Right

I had a mammogram in September 2012 and it cleared me for two years. Then in January 2013 I was driving my car when I was hit on the drivers side. About two weeks after my accident I saw a lump in my left breast, it was actually sticking out were it can be seen. I went and saw my doctor, I had a tumor 2 1/2 inches long that the mammogram did not pick up. My accident saved my life, it moved my tumor around where I could see it. On February 15th, 2013 I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. It had already moved into the lymph nodes it was just ready to take off and spread when the doctors removed it. On March 18th, 2013 I had a mastectomy along with the removal of 18 lymph nodes. I went 6 rounds of chemo, and 25 rounds of radiation. With the help of my "Prayer Army" I made it through all my treatments and October 11th, 2013 (my 43rd birthday) I became CANCER FREE!!!. I believed the mammogram and if not for my accident I do believe it would have been to late for me. Mammograms do not pick up everything mine missed a 2 1/2 inch tumor.

Cindy Swanson
Yucaipa, CA

Surviving

In May 2013 I noticed a enlarged lymph node under my right armpit. After another mamo and a biopsy it was found that I had metastatic breast cancer and now the hunt for the primary tumor. After a MRI a 6cm mass was found in my right breast. After that everything became a whirlwind. A port was placed and a PET scan was done. I then started with 4 rounds of Adriamycin followed by 8 rounds of taxol/herceptin. During this time I did the BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing which came back negative.

During my chemo I seemed to have lost my hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, endured bone pain and even lost myself for a while. With help of family and friends I managed to stay on course and push through my treatments. Within 3 weeks from finishing chemo I had a bilateral mastectomy. (That seemed to be the easiest challenge of this whole mess). After surgery I was finally staged: Her 2+ IDC stage IIA with 1/7 positive lymph nodes.

I am now getting ready to start the new year with 37 rounds of radiation. I have made it this far and I am starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I am 41 years old with a husband and 3 children. Their support has been great along with friends. I encourage others who notice a lump under their arm to have it checked right away and not wait. Also for women who are large breasted, mamo's have a hard time seeing through the dense breast tissue. My tumor was never seen on my mammograms. I would suggest a MRI periodically to be safe. We can beat this.,..it will not win

Jennifer Hartman
Huachuca city, AZ

Being Assertive

After having my yearly mammo in June 2013 received a call that I needed to go back for a repeat mammo and possible US. This has happened so many times I had lost count over the years so I was surprised when I saw the mass on the mammo. The radiologist told me that it was just a spot of dense breast tissue and recommended that I come back in six months. I told him no, that my sister had breast cancer and I wanted a referral to a breast specialist. After seeing the specialist and a steriotactic biopsy I had invasive ductal carcinoma. After having an MRI and it showing more suspicious spots of the Right breast I opted for a single mastectomy.

Surgery with reconstruction was on September 10, 2013, Stage I cancer. I opted to have Oncotyping of my tumor and my score was 15 so no chemo. I do have some areas of the left breast that were on the MRI but did not show up on Ultrasound. I will be having my expander removed first of March and a silicone prosthesis placed. When healed I will have a repeat MRI and if spots still present on left side will have biopsy. I now wish I had gone with a bilateral mastectomy but at the time was not emotionally ready.

I had the best support system any woman could ask for, my husband was with me every step of the way, my children and family were right there with me. I never could have had such a good attitude about all this had it not been for God, my family and special friends who are survivors themselves.

Maureen Nokes
SMITHVILLE, TN

I was born a fighter!

6~24~13 @ age 37 i was diagnosed with Stage3 IDC & triple positive, which means it is very aggressive. I just finished 16 rounds of chemo and a few of Herceptin. My next step is a double masectomy bc i hv 2 many calcifications. Then 6 wks of radiation & 9 more months of herceptin once every 3 wks. Reconstruction, hopefully, sooner then later. I wanted 2 tell my story bc it is so important 2 hv ur mammos reg. I caught mine a lil late but by the grace of God, im a survivor! I couldnt do any of this w/out God, family &my few, TRUE friends, & many many prayers! Let me tell u, if u hv been diagnosed, turn 2 ur Heavenly Father, He wants 2 heal u, if u hv only the faith of a mustard seed. Its gona get rough but if u hv faith, strength & courage, u can beat this awful disease! I HAVE BREAST CANCER BUT BREAST CANCER DONT HAVE ME!

Anonymous
Durham, NC

Too Young

I found a little pea size lump under my left armpit while bathing . About a few days later I found a lump in my left breast . My gynecologist and the surgeon said " Don't worry you're to young to have breast cancer " . They told me it was a broadening but it needed to come out . While I was in the recovery room after having a lumpectomy the surgeon told me " you have cancer and your family is devastated" . The date was 10/29 1999 . I was 33 years old . I had a mastectomy no reconstruction due to having a form of hemophilia and Stage ll b cancer . I took 8 chemo treatments and serve an awesome God . I am now 47 and doing great.

Anonymous
Waynesboro, MS

Why Me?

In August 2003 I had my annual mammogram. At the time I was living in Pennsylvania, I now live in Ohio. Of course I thought it would be like all the others, nothing wrong. After the mammogram, the technician said the doctor wanted me to have an ultrasound. The doctor told me there was an irregularity. They had found a lump and wanted to confirm it with the ultrasound. It could be seen on the ultrasound because it was high and up against the chest wall. I was scheduled for core biopsy. The next day the doctor's office called me to schedule an appointment to discuss the findings of the biopsy. And of course no one at the office could tell me what was found. The next day, my husband and I went to the doctor office. She said the left breast was negative for any cancer, but the right breast had a cancerous lump. She gave me my options and I chose a mastectomy. At the time I was 60 yrs old and felt I didn't need it anyway. I researched breast reconstruction and decided against it. Found too many negative things about it. My husband didn't like the idea of the mastectomy, but I had it anyway. So on September 25, 2003 I had a right mastectomy. That day also happens to be my daughter and son in law's wedding anniversary. After the surgery the doctor informed my family-she is cancer free. Since I was estrogen positive and having gone through menopause I was lucky enough to be able to take Tamoxifen. I took it every day for five years. This past September was my tenth anniversary. Now I am praying for my niece who is now going through chemo.

Sally Smith
Columbus, OH

Day I will never forget

Oct 3, 2013 will be a day I will never forget. It is not only the day that I was sending off my husband for this 3rd deployment but also the day I noticed a divot in my left breast and mass I felt under it. I dropped my husband off to wish him well serving our country at 0300 and went to my PCM at 1500 the same day. My Dr. found two other lumps in the same breast and ensured me that the following test will be done quick and in a hurry. She was right, I had a mammogram the next week and the week after I was having a needle biopsy, the following 8 days were the longest days of my life. I went to work on 28 Oct like any other day. I took a later lunch to avoid the lunch rush at the post office to mail my husband a care package and a few other things. I talked with my husband and told him goodnight as he was heading to bed for the night. I got a call…it was the call that I have been waiting for. My Dr. asked me to come to the office to discuss my results (we agreed to do this either way. I had the weirdest feeling come over me, had a pit in my stomach and a lump in my throat. I sat in the post office parking lot crying. I knew. My Dr. was quick about telling me. No beating around the bush. She wanted me to read the pathology report. As she was handing me my report her eyes welled up with tears. All I saw on the report was carcinoma. It was the only thing that stood out. After the initial shock, my Dr. began to explain my appt for the oncologist was the very next day and things were going start moving quickly to start my fight. I had my bilateral mastectomy on 20 Nov and have started chemo on 19 Dec. Pathology came back as stage 2 inductal carcinoma with clear margins.

Julie Moser
Copperas Cove, TX