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Stand Tall And Proud!

My name is Lora Meza and I am 50 years old.I was diagnosed on May 25, 2011 with Stage 3c Lobular Carcinoma after 8 months of being misdiagnosed. 17 out of 20 lymph nodes where cancerous. I had to undergo chemo first then a bilateral mastectomy and 30 rounds of radiation. I am ER+PR+HER2-. I chose to have a hysterectomy thinking it would further reduce the hormones my body produces. With no guarantees of course (not medically proven). I am currently in remission with the aid of Anastrozole. With no guarantees of course. Oh yes, can we talk about weight gain. Fat produces estrogen. HELLO! I have to laugh. I refuse to have cancer be the center point of my life. I am excepting of my destiny whatever it is that the good Lord has in store for me. I am truly blessed to still be here.

I have scares that I am not ashamed of and I chose not to have reconstructive surgery. At first it was difficult to look at myself in the mirror. What changed that thought for me was knowing that I was loved for who I am. Do I know what lies ahead? No, but who does. It is websites and FB pages like this that inspire me and give me hope.

The challenges one faces once diagnosed with cancer is undefined. The effects are different for each person. What I can tell you is, your support system is key to a positive journey and recovery. Since my initial diagnosis I have found that I have the most loving and caring family, friends, and co-workers that have been by my side since the the day I was diagnosed. I'm humbled by all the prayers and sacrifices they have made for me during my time of need.

What I've learned from this experience as I continue on my journey is; you have to be your own advocate. Do not let your pride get in the way. Educate yourself and do no be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.

Stand Tall and Proud I Say...Smile!

Lora Meza
Corpus Christi, TX

From co-hockey moms to Breast Cancer Sisters

My story begins as many before me. On 10/29/13, I went for a routine mammogram and was asked to return for a diagnostic mammogram & ultrasound. I wasn’t overly concerned as I had the same thing happen when I had my first mammogram 5 years ago & there is no history of breast cancer in my family. So on 11/11/13, I went back to the clinic. As they did the ultrasound, I knew right away that something was wrong as I could see a black mass on the screen & the technician made a point of scanning my lymph nodes. Immediately following the procedure, I was informed that I needed a biopsy. On 11/18, the biopsy was performed without any complications but we’d have to wait several days for the results. Within 2 days, my doctor called to tell me I had Stage 2 or 3 Invasive Ductal Carinoma.

After taking a day or two to process the news, we began telling our family & friends. One of my co-hockey moms Dianne (our son's play ice hockey on the same team) contacted me after hearing the news to tell me that she was awaiting results from a biopsy she had performed the day before. A week to the day after my diagnosis, Dianne was diagnosed with stage 2 IDC. We spent the new few weeks crying on each other's shoulders, comparing notes from our doctors appointments and supporting one another. Our hockey organization immediately rallied around us and showed their support by placing breast cancer ribbons on the team jerseys and helmets. On 12/16, Dianne and I both underwent bilateral mastectomies with immediate reconstruction. The picture I have attached is of us in the hospital the day after our surgeries (Dianne on the left and me on the right).

While we are both in the beginning stages of this battle and have a year long journey of treatment ahead of us, I know that we will both win the fight. Cancer may be tough, but us hockey moms are much tougher!!

Babette Robbins
Winston-Salem, NC

I love you so much I fought cancer for you

At 19 I experienced my 1st loss to cancer, my dad. Eighteen months later on my 21st birthday I buried my mom to the same cancer. This pattern would follow me with an Uncle & friends.

April of 2013 while taking a shower I found a lump on my left breast. The following morning I went to see my doctor. After a mammogram, ultra sound & biopsy my fears were confirmed. I had stage 2 tnb cancer that was BRCA1 positive.

I have been married for 22 years to husband, raised 2 nephews now 25 & 24, have 2 son 10 & 8 and 2 grandsons 4 & 2 months. I when I found out I had cancer I vowed to fight & told them, "I love you so much I will fight cancer for you". This anthem would flow to my friends & family.

I endured 5 of 6 rounds of chemo that left me bed ridden & hospitalized at times. Each round was dedicated to losses to cancer and one of my guys. Friends and family a like came everyday with dinner or to clean my house or take the little ones to be little boys. This was so hard considering my hours of volunteering at school or coaching sports with my husband. There were fainting spells that I was caught at times & others that I hit the hard wood floors leaving me bruised. My entire colon went eschemic causing consultations to determine if I would loose it. My final round of chemo was cancelled due to the toll it was taking on my colon. I have completed my bilateral mastectomy. As of today my final round of radiation will be Monday.

We have received so much love and support from not just family but also friends. Our local YMCA has even been part of the support.

We journaled on Facebook sharing the positive side as best we could. My finish line is now in sight and we (me, my family & friends) now say I love you so much I beat cancer for you.

Becky Gonzales
Pueblo, CO

My Story

Was diagnosed at 32 with breast cancer.. I found the lump. Went through a couple of ops, plus the chemo & radio. In between that, had three trips to emergency due to high temperatures... the first being the worst.. 41 degrees & it took five days before it got back to normal.

Was sent to a fertility doctor as I was childless although I had figured I wasn't meant to have any children...not from illness or anything... Just figured had reached a certain age & had been single for some time so it wasn't meant to be. I will forever be grateful to my mum for pushing me to be a little bit more proactive with regards to my fertility. It was quite expensive & the shots I received were quite painful... all worth it. I was given a 40%ear chance of being able to conceive,. and sometimes I still think... "really?!?!" , I conceived & gave birth to a healthy baby boy who is starting primary school next year.

More dramas were to be had... when my son was 7 months old, I was diagnosed with a different type of cancer... angiosarcoma. No one can give me a definitive answer as to how I got this... it may have been due to the radiation treatment... but there's no way of knowing for sure. It's a type of skin cancer... & really quite vicious. As a result, I had to have a radical mastectomy.

I could type so much more, but, I am near the five year mark for the second cancer so I figure, all the rest is experience. Bloody hell, there are so many other people suffering much worse than me. I am still here & even better than that, I am so blessed to have a gorgeous baby (although he says he is a "big boy".).He is, but will always be my bubba.

Dodie Thomson
Noble Park, Australia

Support and prayers

When I found out that I had breast cancer I was devestated. I found out in May 2013 and had a double mystectomy in September. If it had not been for the support of my wonderful spouse, my gorgeous children and their spouses, my grandchildren, my God, my church family and all of my wonderful co workers I don't know if I could have made it. There is no way I could ever repay them for their support. I will say that my God is an Awesome God and he reigns! Thank you God for all the love and positive support you have given someone like me that is so unworthy. Support and prayers.

Robin Prestridge
Splendora, TX

Another obstacle defeated

In October 2013 I was being worked up to receive a new kidney from my cousin. In the process I had to have a mamogram. After a needle biopsy and a lumpectomy I was told I had stage zero breast cancer. So, instead of having a kidney transplant on December 5th, 2012, on that same day, I had a Bi Lateral Mastectomy. I did not want to have to worry about it spreading or getting bigger, so i nipped it in the bud.. lol. For me it was a no brainer to have the mastectomy. I mean, I could be 100% cured by doing this... Why wouldn't I do it. Well, I got the call from my doctor a week later to tell me I was cancer FREE... they were not in my lymph nodes...I was cured. That was the best call of my life.... I'm staying positive about not having my breasts anymore, and i believe I'm adjusting very well. I've started the reconstruction. I consider myself one the the luckiest people in the world to have this happen to me. Next is my kidney transplant slated for March. Bring it on :)

Judy Mainz
Saramento, CA

My son saved my life.

I had my son at the age of 38. I loved nursing him for the bonding experience and so he was still nursing at the age of 2. That made me so familiar with my breasts that I knew something was wrong. It took me going through 4 medical professionals before I found one who took the time to find what frightened me more than anything (my mom and grandmother both died of metastasized colon cancer).
When I was diagnosed, I was freshly out of a relationship. He thought the cancer would bring us together again. I couldn't trust it. So I went through 1 1/2 years of treatment, a good portion of the time it was just me and my challenging toddler. I went to my treatments alone, observing patients with support people holding their hands. Then I would go home to my son when often I could barely move. My experience with breast cancer treatment taught me how strong I never knew I could be.
My son was and is a gift. One day when he understands, I will tell him how he saved my life.

Kelli
Twin Falls, ID

Breast cancer at 23

I was 23 years old and was raising my beautiful 3 month old son when I first felt the lump, I shook it off thinking that it was a blocked milk duct since I was breast feeding. After a few weeks of trying to unblock the milk duct I went and saw my OB who thought the lump was from a breast infection and treated me with antibiotics. The lump decreased in size drastically so I didn't think much else about it until 3 months later when it started growing. I went back to my OB and he sent me to a general surgeon to have it removed thinking it was a lactating adenoma and why wouldn't he I was 23 and had no family history of breast cancer. I saw the general surgeon on February 28th he did a biopsy just to confirm and on march 4 he confirmed my worst fears! I had breast cancer and after MRIs and lymph node dissection I knew my tumor was 4cm and I was stage 3a ductile carcinoma! I quickly started chemo I did 6 rounds of a TAC regimen, I was lucky enough to not have many side effects and was able to work full time and not miss a minute of my sons first year! I finished chemo July 11, my tumor had decreased to less than 1 cm! On August 23rd I went in for my surgery I had the free tram flap surgery and can now say I am cancer free! Losing was never an option for me!

Amy
Macon, GA

My Grand Mother's Journey

I have not ever had breast cancer nor any other kind of cancer. But other people in my family have. And one person in my family who I really look up to for it is, my Grandmother. Two years ago, in April of 2011 my grandmother had went in for her monthly mammogram. She had came home and acted normal. But, I had heard her talking on the phone with her brother, telling him that she has to get another biopsy because they had found 3 lumps in her right breast. A couple weeks later she had gone to get another biopsy and she came home with a blank face. She talked to my mother. And at that moment I knew something was wrong. She told us 2 months later in July of 2011 she told us she had stage 2 breast cancer. She had gotten surgery, and it took awhile to heal. She also had gotten radiation done. Then a couple months later in 2012 she was told by her Doctor that she was in remission. I had thanked God. But now, in present time December 2013, there is red pigmentation on her breast, and a lump under her arm and on her breast. Her breast is almost as if like deforming. She has to go in for yet another surgery. When she told us this on Christmas Eve she broke down and cried. She also never cries. She is very kept to herself. She is no longer is remission. Please, if you think you might have something cancerous, get checked. You would want to get checked earlier so you may have a better chance of going into remission and staying. Please pray for all people who have any kind of cancer.

Anonymous
Orange County, CA

NO LUMPS

I am a Lab Tech. I know about diagnosing diseases. Other people get sick with serious illnesses and I help find diagnoses, I DON'T GET diagnosed. I hadn't had a mammogram in a couple of years. Breast cancer didn't run in my family and there were no changes in the girls, so I was ok with skipping them.
I had been laid off from my job and was drawing unemployment and had no insurance. So one day, I called the local health department to see if they had any programs for women. They did and had me to come in for check ups. The Nurse Practitioner that I saw did the PAP smear and then did a breast exam. She felt a small pea sized lump in the right breast and referred me for a mammo. The lump had been there for many years and I had actually had a mammo because of it some years earlier. So I wasn't worried.
I went over to the imaging center and checked in. I went back and got undressed and went and sat in the waiting room with the other ladies. They came and went, unless there was something that showed up on their mammo. Then they had to have more shots taken. Then my turn came. I mindlessly went through the process; no problem. THEN...I went back to the waiting room only to be one of those that needed repeats. The Mammo Tech knew I was a Lab Tech and allowed me to see why I was held for repeats. There it was, it looked like little salt granules all over the base of my left breast, not the right one, just beyond the chest wall. No lumps. Ductal cell carcinoma. By the time it was large enough to feel lumps, it would have been too late.
Exactly one week before Christmas 2012, I had a double mastectomy. Praise God that it hadn't made it to my lymph nodes so I didn't have to take chemo or radiation. The ONLY symptom I had was an extremely sore chest.
GET YOUR MAMMOGRAM!!

Carla H
Somerset, KY